Arsenal remain clear at the top. Chelsea captain Rhys James said his side had made a “statement” but Mikel Arteta felt the Gunners “should have won”. Here’s why both sides can be mostly happy with Sunday’s 1-1 draw…
A positive point for Arsenal – even if two were dropped in the circumstances
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Mikel Merino in charge of Arsenal
There will be frustration at Arsenal that they failed to capitalize on Moises Kaiseed’s red card after 38 minutes, but the Gunners were far from their best at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal were without first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for only the second time in 162 league matches and risked going down to 10 men themselves, picking up six yellow cards in such a tight contest. Leandro Trossard was also out after picking up an injury in midweek and forwards like Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Victor Gjokeres are still trying to get back to full match sharpness.
That showed as the Gunners struggled for attacking rhythm throughout the game in west London. Chelsea were also in good form themselves and even with 10 players they gave Arsenal a lot of problems. It can’t be a bad thing for Arsenal to keep the gap to the Blues at six points with a point Arsenal would have taken before the game.
It’s a point earned on performance, but two points dropped in the circumstances of the game. However, when the dust settles, they will surely look back on this as a positive point.
It also comes at the end of a tough week of games for Mikel Arteta’s side, which saw them pick up big wins over north London rivals Spurs and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It’s been an emotionally draining week for the Gunners and it showed at Stamford Bridge.
They failed to find a winner to make it a perfect week, but going unbeaten in three hard-fought games must be a positive for the Gunners, who extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 17 games.
Finally, when it comes to the Premier League, Stamford Bridge is another tough away game lined up for the Gunners. They have now been to Old Trafford, Anfield, St James’ Park and Stamford Bridge, and if they still held a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, Arteta would take it.
Oliver Iev
Chelsea threw out her soft belly to show real courage
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Moises Caicedo see red for a big challenge on Mikel Merino before half-time
This week, and this result in particular, feels like the culmination of something that Enzo Maresca has been trying to build for some time. Chelsea got their bite back. Too much, in one case.
The past five days have been the story of two red cards. While Barcelona capitulated to Ronald Araujo’s first-half dismissal at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, Chelsea were delighted to see Moises Caissed sent off against Arsenal, becoming only the second team out of 14 to deny them victory.
It would be easy to use the red card as an excuse. The first shot less than three minutes after half time is quite the opposite.
During the early Todd Boehly era, questions were raised about Chelsea’s mentality and weak dressing room, not helped by the logistics of a ballooning squad.
Even under Mauricio Pochettino’s gradual rebuilding, their soft underbelly remained their biggest Achilles’ heel. He also accompanied Maresca from time to time.
But 18 months into his reign, this performance, like any other, will be used as a benchmark. Mentality Plan.
Chelsea rolled up their sleeves, did dirty things, dark arts, got stuck in and showed Arsenal they were here for the battle even at 10 v 11. Especially in the last hour, they showed an edge even beyond winning the Club World Cup and returning to the Champions League last season.
They relied on Mareska’s tactical mind; this added to the struggle.
Ron Walker