Pedro Neto’s brilliant strike saved a 1-1 draw in the London derby on Sunday, dealing a further blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge. Mikel Arteta’s side had seized the lead at Stamford Bridge with a second-half goal from Gabriel Martinelli. However, Neto’s equaliser 10 minutes later gave Chelsea a well-deserved point, leaving the Gunners winless in their past four league games.
Neto’s first Premier League goal since joining from Wolves in August lifted Chelsea to third place on goal difference, ahead of Arsenal in fourth. Both clubs are nine points behind leaders Liverpool, but although Chelsea will be delighted by their position after exceeding expectations in Gio Maresca’s first season in command, Arsenal head into the international break attacked by questions.
Arsenal lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, following a setback at Newcastle last weekend, and have won only three of their last nine league games. Arsenal are chasing their first title since 2004, having finished second to Manchester City in each of the previous two seasons. They lack the fluency that carried them so close to the trophy last season.
The north Londoners’ sole victories in their last seven games in all competitions were against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston in the League Cup. Maresca has frequently stated that he does not believe Chelsea is ready to compete for the title, but the Italian has created solid foundations since joining the underachieving team in the offseason.
Although they were unable to earn their first home win against Chelsea in six years, Maresca’s young team appears to be moving in the right direction at last. Cole Palmer, Maresca’s shining star, put David Raya into action with a 25-yard drive that the Arsenal goalkeeper turned over.
Palmer, who dropped deep to seize control in midfield, led multiple Chelsea counter-attacks that left Arteta worried on the touchline after Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked but Noni Madueke’s header looped wide. Gusto should have put Chelsea in midway in the first half when Neto fooled Ben White with quick feet before whipping in a pinpoint cross that the defender somehow nodded over from close range.
Chelsea exerted their will against Arsenal with a dogged performance that included some bruising challenges. However, their proclivity for overplaying from own goal kicks almost proved fatal when Levi Colwill’s poor pass forced Martinelli into a brilliant save from Robert Sanchez.
Martin Odegaard started his first Arsenal game since August 31, returning from an ankle injury as a late substitution against Inter in midweek. Odegaard appeared to have set up Arsenal’s opening goal when his fast free kick found Kai Havertz, who tapped past Sanchez in the 32nd minute. However, Havertz’s celebrations were cut short by a VAR assessment, which revealed the former Chelsea striker was offside by the smallest of margins.