- Gabriel Martinelli impresses again
- Pedro Neto saves Chelsea
- Martin Odegaard returns
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Arsenal in an even tie that leads the Gunners nine points behind Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
The first half began with Chelsea on the front foot, Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke causing all the problems. The biggest chance of the first half-hour being when Neto tricked his way past Ben White to cross for Malo Gusto, who could only head the ball over from close range.
Arsenal would return the favour shortly after, with Gabriel Martinelli putting a tame shot on goal despite being one-on-one with Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea started the second half as they did the first. Wesley Fofana came close, putting his foot on the end of a Noni Madueke cross, but couldn’t find the net.
Despite Chelsea’s attacking intent, it was Arsenal who broke the deadlock. Gabriel Martinelli was picked on the left by the returning Martin Odegaard, to beat Robert Sanchez at his near post.
The Blue’s clearly felt hard done by in going behind as they began to really drill the Arsenal goal. Despite attempts, it took Pedro Neto, cutting in and smashing under David Raya from 25 yards.
Arsenal pushed the harder for the win, but this point leaves them falling behind in their quest for a Premier League title.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Pedro Neto saves Blues
Pedro Neto pulled his goal out of the bag as Chelsea looked to have left their shooting boots at home.
It was a poor night for Robert Sanchez and Levi Colwill, but Noni Madueke did his best to create something in front of goal.
Robert Sanchez – 5.0
Shouldn’t have been beaten for Martinelli’s goal, simple.
Malo Gusto – 6.5
Becoming a very good attacking fullback, needs to work on his finishing.
Wesley Fofana – 6.5
Solid at the back but should have taken his chance.
Levi Colwill – 6.0
Stayed too deep for Martinelli’s opener.
Marc Cucurella – 6.0
Did more moaning than playing, but when he did, he did stop Saka.
Romeo Lavia – 6.0
Okay until he picked up a knock.
Moises Caicedo – 6.5
Some strong tackles, but forgot how to pass forward at times.
Noni Madueke – 7.0
Really creative until his substitution.
Cole Palmer – 6.0
Missing a step or two in these last couple of weeks. A welcome break for him.
Pedro Neto – 8.0
A problem all game, and took his goal very well.
Nicolas Jackson – 6.0
Learn to stay onside.
Subs
- Enzo Fernandes – 7.0
- Mykhaylo Mudryk – 5.0
- Reece James – 5.0
- Christopher Nkunku – 5.0
Arsenal Player Ratings
Gabriel Martinelli shines as others faulter
Gabriel Martinelli continued his strong form as Bukayo Saka failed to live up to expectation.
Martin Odegaard played well on his return from injury as Declan Rice had one of his poorest games in an Arsenal Shirt.
David Raya – 6.5
A presence that certainly affected Chelsea’s attackers.
Ben White – 6.5
Solid but got drawn into a fight with Neto.
William Saliba – 7.0
The better of Arsenal’s defensive pair.
Gabriel – 6.5
Up and down performance from the Brazilian.
Jurrien Timber – 6.0
Never seems to make much of an impact at the moment.
Martin Odegaard – 7.5
Definitely not fully fit yet, but so much of the player Arsenal have missed.
Thomas Partey – 6.0
Better than Rice, but not by much.
Declan Rice – 5.0
Allegedly on the pitch.
Bukayo Saka – 5.5
He’s either in it, or it’s like he was never there and today was the latter.
Kai Havertz – 6.0
Lacked service, but made good movement.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8.0
Arsenal’s best attacking outlet for the second game running, and finally got his goal.
Subs
- Mikel Merino – 5.0
- Leandro Trossard – 5.0
- Gabriel Jesus – 5.0
Chelsea vs. Arsenal Stats
Truthfully the stats don’t lie in this matchup. The game as balances but Chelsea had the bigger of the chances but failed to take them allowing Arsenal into the game and leaving Stamford Bridge with a point.
| Stat | Chelsea | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 50 % | 50 % |
| Expected Goals | 1.28 | 0.99 |
| Shots | 17 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 3 |
| Corners | 4 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
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