Result: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 21 January 2019
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Starting XI: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Luiz, Saka, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe, Martinelli, Lacazette
Subs: Martinez, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Guendouzi, Willock, Ceballos, Nketiah
Arsenal secured a remarkable 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, twice coming from behind after playing for more than an hour with ten men.
When Jorginho converted from the spot after David Luiz had been given his marching orders for conceding a penalty for a foul on Tammy Abraham, it looked like the Gunners were destined for defeat. However, Gabriel Martinelli scored a brilliant solo effort to tie the game on 63 minutes before Hector Bellerin cancelled out Cesar Azpilicueta’s late goal to cap a captain’s performance on his return from injury.
Pre-game
Mikel Arteta made one change from the team that started against Sheffield United, selecting the fit-again Bellerin at right-back; his first start since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the start of December. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has impressed as his deputy in recent weeks, dropped to the bench. Mustafi continued in place of the sick Sokratis and Martinelli continued to cover for the suspended Aubameyang. Interestingly, six of the 18-man squad graduated from Arsenal’s Academy.
First half
On a freezing night under the lights, Mikel Arteta was probably hoping his side would spring out of the traps as we did in the reverse fixture three weeks ago. We were bright enough, Saka and Martinelli working their way down the left and Pepe’s quick feet putting Emerson on the back foot. There was even a half chance, of sorts. The Ivorian whipping a ball from the right with his left foot that David Luiz tried to flick goalwards. He didn’t make contact.
After that it was all Chelsea. They had obviously discussed targeting Saka at left-back and launched attack after attack down his flank via Hudson-Odoi and Azpilicueta. Mustafi had to make a smart block when the pair teed up Kovacic for a shot from just inside the box. On a cold night, he took it where it hurt.
Abraham should have done better with a header that went straight at Leno, Hudson-Odoi clipped the cross bar with a shot that was probably a cross and Xhaka had to make a smart interception at the near post as the hosts notched eight corners in the opening 23 minutes. We were under pressure and not creating anything on the ball but at least we were competitive.
Unfortunately, when you field a centre-back combo of Luiz and Mustafi, you’re always walking a tightrope. On 26 minutes everything fell apart. The German’s attempt to sidefoot a bouncing ball back to Leno, should not have been a reason for alarm but he didn’t get nearly enough on it. Panic stations.
Suddenly, Abraham pounced, carried the ball around a tentative Leno who’d come out of his box and Luiz, desperately chasing from behind, took out the England striker. Referee Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot and produced a red card. The home fans, who’d been happy to boo their former player, couldn’t believe their luck. The Brazilian was mercilessly jeered off the pitch after VAR confirmed the decision. Up stepped Jorginho, he did his little skip and placed the ball to Leno’s right. (1-0)
Granit Xhaka dropped back into the centre of defence to make up the numbers which didn’t help our attempts to keep hold of the ball. We were very much under the cosh and were thankful for smart keeping from Leno who parried clear a fierce effort by Hudson-Odoi.
After 10 minutes, Arteta decided it was time to make a switch and Rob Holding stripped off, but then the Spaniard changed his mind. The centre-back was told to sit back down after Martinelli, seemingly lined up to be replaced, made a couple of exciting darts down the left. We held out until the break as the Blues went into their shell.
Second half
We were always going to have to make a change and given how ineffective he’d been, it was little surprise that Mesut Ozil was the man sacrificed. Matteo Guendouzi was sent into the fray on 55 minutes to add a bit of steel alongside Torreira.
Chelsea went back to targeting the gaps behind Saka and Bellerin but they struggled for end product as we packed the box in numbers for a series of desperate clearances.
Out of nothing. And it really was nothing. We grabbed an equaliser thanks to the sheer bloody-mindedness of Gabriel Martinelli. After carrying the ball 67 yards and evading Kante who’d slipped over in the centre circle, he tucked home past Kepa 13 seconds after Mustafi had cleared a Chelsea corner. What a goal. What composure from the youngster. It was our first shot of the night and in the process, he became the first teenager to reach 10 goals for Arsenal in a league season since Nicolas Anelka. (1-1)
We had something to cling to. You’d think we might try and defend the lead, but instead, we went for it. Lacazette put the ball in the back of the net but was correctly ruled offside.
Willian reminded us that it was a risky policy as he found space to test Leno at his near post. Abraham tried his luck with another header from a free-kick conceded by Guendouzi that earned the Frenchman a booking. And with 11 minutes left, our keeper had to make another decent stop to keep out Barkley’s header.
The pressure told with six minutes remaining. From a short corner, the home side curled a ball to the near post where Azpilicueta tapped home.
I don’t know how, but somehow we had the balls to equalise for a second time. Bellerin, cutting in off the right onto his left foot, curled home past Kepa from the edge of the box. The away end went mental. Amazingly, it’s not the first time the Spaniard has done this to Chelsea, he scored a similarly late equaliser at the Emirates a couple of seasons ago. (2-2)
Could we hold out for the remaining two minutes? Xhaka did just enough to put off Batshuayi who slid wide from three yards before Arteta wasted some time by bringing on Willock for Martinelli. What about the four minutes of stoppage time? Yes!
We might have come into the game desperate for three points but in the circumstances, a battling point away from home is a huge credit to the players. It doesn’t do much to help our league position, but it’s a performance that Arteta can get excited about. Kudos to captain Bellerin, plaudits to Martinelli and Saka and a pat on the back to Xhaka who when called upon, did brilliantly to marshall the defenders.
The quality might not be there yet, but the mentality is. Might not look like it on the surface, but a point away at Stamford Bridge is huge right now. Come On You Gunners!
Point away when played with 10 men for more than an hour plus scoring after getting behind.
This is all great I just we’re able to get a few players in this January to help Arteta and as a bonus it’ll be really really great if Mustafi leaves this month as well. Great effort by the team today. Martinelli is pure class, Saka Torreira Pepe were fantastic.
Agreed. We definite are heading in the right direction and it is only a matter of time and some luck before we start winning a few.
We need reinforcements in the summer but we have a good base to build upon and some fantastic young talent to add squad depth. COYG.
a very significant point earned. the mighty arsenal ship is turning
Well said.
Top comeback, Arsenal.
Great result in the circumstances but how much longer will Arteta allow Mustafi to be in the side. Not just the back pass but the other unnecessary misplaced passes. He played quite well Saturday but then almost gave them a goal. I feel sorry for him but his time must be up.
He got an assist for the first!
What a stupidly crass thing to say.
Mustafi’s time is up. He is neither Arsenal or Premier League quality. If Arsenal is serious about our rebuild, Mustafi should be binned ASAP. Give his spot to a willing youngster if we can’t sign a replacement during this transfer window. There is Harry Clarke that I have being rave reviews about. Also, Joseph Olowu, Tobi Omole and Zechariah Medley. It will do their education a whole world of good and that can only be to the benefit of Arsenal.
There’s also Rob Holding. Plus William Saliba next season.
Cannot wait for the idiot to leave. He’ll have us fighting relegation if he keeps playing.
Remember when Arsenal were known as the “mentally fragile” side? I think we’re shedding that label rather well.
I think we make them very very upset by taking their 3 points with 10 men since 26th minutes. Kudos for Martinelli and Hector for taking the goal scoring responsibility. When Auba plays again, I think we should put Auba back at the center, Gaby on the left, Pepe on right, Laca on the bench.
I’m so glad I recorded the game (UHD) after the send-off because I couldn’t suffer and bad luck sentiment!
Now at 10.30 pm, I’m going to start the match from the beginning.
Awesome, Arsenal bringing back the joy!
You can see Arteta is doing the maximum with what he has.
Not yet, the strikers aren’t performing like last season.
He’s doing great though.
Exactly think how many are not performing right now.
Such heart and soul would never have been displayed under Emery. Arteta has made this rag tag bunch believe!
Except it was there vs. Villa under Emery down 0 – 1 and down to ten men. Just sayin’.
Just sayin’, it was Chelsea at the bridge, not relegation fodder at the Emirates, which is a totally different context. Do you honestly believe that we could have pulled this off when Emory was in charge.
I’m normally a massive Ozil fan but even I was shouting for him it be taken off ahead of Martinelli when Luiz got sent off. Ozil is a quality talent but no luxury player when you’ve got 10 men away at Chelsea. Martinelli is a massive quality. I’m not joking guys he reminds me of Ronaldo in terms of work ethic drive belief hunger heading ability ability to be at the right place at the right team the want to improve. I still think we can get top 4. 10/10 for the fans. Heard loud and clear multiple times.
I’d be tempted to play Xhaka at CB with Luis next game with Guen or Ceba coming in to midfield. Just please no more Mustafi
Agreed. He was monumental tonight.
Luis, next game?
We really showed character today .We can definitely build from here. Hats off to Xhaka, Leno, Martinelli and Bellerin.
BTW Martinelli is my current fav player 🙂
I’m normally a massive Ozil fan but even I was shouting for him it be taken off ahead of Martinelli when Luiz got sent off. Ozil is a quality talent but no luxury player when you’ve got 10 men away at Chelsea. Martinelli is a massive quality. I’m not joking guys he reminds me of Ronaldo in terms of work ethic drive belief hunger heading ability ability to be at the right place at the right team the want to improve. I still think we can get top 4. 10/10 for the fans. Heard loud and clear multiple times.
I love Martinelli, kid is something special, said it before, he seems the love child (football wise) of RvP and Alexis, have everything on him to be a success, we need more steals like him since I doubt we can compete on the market for already class players
Mine too. He is breathing fire. And to think he is just not even 20!
he won’t be 20 for another 18 months! the kid looks a class act. you know you have something special on your hands when an 18 year old is the one leading a fightback like this.
And now is our second best scorer, with better stats in every area save goals than Aubameyang
Fuck John Terry! Long Live Arteta!
Yes and Yes!
What a game. Just the fact that it wasnt over even tho it should have been… gives me some hope for the future. They fought hard today. Mustafi is gonna Mustafi but i trust Arteta so far.
Never in doubt, we are the draw specialists! We would be in 13th without that point…
I mean we’re still level on points with 13th, but we made the chavs drop points so they can suck it
13th would have been all ours without Hector, and 6 points above the relegation zone.
Of Brazilian-Italians and Spanish right backs. What a thriller. Nice one Arsenal. Great spirit guys!
What a comeback.
Before everyone starts berating Mustafi, I think he had a good game apart from THAT moment. Not to excuse him in anyway, but he’s still one of ours and let’s not call for his head please.
He made a very good block early on with his groin and a solid game overall. If only we played with 11 though, damn.
Isn’t that literally mustafi’s MO though? Decent apart from THOSE moments.
True, but credit where it’s due, and all of that.
The incident ironically forced a mentality change. We were getting led like a dog on a leash all over the pitch. But afterwards we not only didn’t get worse but slowly got better. Also Mustafi’s clearance was the first step on the road to Martinelli’s goal. That’s the glass half full analysis I guess.
He made two awful passes before that crazy mistake though…
It’s nothing personal, I’m sure he’s a good guy. But my word, what on Earth is he still doing at this football club??
The fact we only conceded one more with him and Xhaxa as the characters pairing is a miracle itself
*cb
He actually played really well apart from that mistake but unfortunately the mistake happened & it cost us a chance of winning the game.
Luiz should be savvy enough to just let Abraham to score rather than make a challenge that is going to result in penalty/red card that early in the game
Rubbish. As a centre back, you should have the bravery to make a 50/50 challenge – NOT let the opposition score!!! It’s a 50/50. You either time the tackle and win the ball, or you mistime the tackle and pay the consequences. That’s better than allowing your forward to score!!! Thank fuck you don’t manage the team!!
Mustafi was shit from the first whistle before the mistake he had made 3 errors you could a mistake coming. After the sending off any defender will look decent when under pressure for as long arsenal were in that game. So NO Mustafi did NOT have a good game and needs to be sold in this window.
Spotted, give credit where deserves, overrall he was superb
There was also his failure to commit a foul on half way in the build up to their second goal. And just before the sending off when he hit an easy clearance ball straight at Abraham… more than the one awful error from him, it’s only two of them led to us conceding goals..
I don’t want to berate Mustafi but I don’t remember a centre back for the Arsenal make as many errors as this guy. I was quietly confident of pinching a win before kick off then the usual cock up puts us on the back foot with not even 30 minutes played. A fantastic and spirited result in the end but clearly avoidable.
Loving the fighting spirit under Arteta, this season is very much transitional but I’m looking forward to the next few seasons.
Hector you fucking legend!!
I just got to say well done to the away fans tonight. They were FUCKING immense! They roared the team on and they responded.
P.S. Kante didn’t necessarily slip. He was only bowing to greatness. What a fucking lad Gabi-goal is!
“Kante didn’t necessarily slip. He was only bowing to greatness”
Like that.. well done
Thanks, mate.
It is true, it isn’t luck, Gabi turned him around and that’s why he slipped… kante thought gabi was going into the right half space but gabis heavy touch took it far to the left…. kante. The poster child for defensive agility in the modern game…. made ro look like Gerrard
The best part about this is that Chelsea look like absolute clowns right now.
In some ways playing on the counter actually suits us as Pepe & Martinelli have so much pace. Tremendous effort & spirit today to ensure that we came back twice – the 2nd time was just so impressive given how late Chelsea’s goal was. Really impressed with Saka as well – we have the makings of a real player there. That said Mustafi simply isn’t good enough for a top team in the PL – he has one major mistake virtually every game. We also need to think hard about whether its time to start playing Gendouzi or Willock over… Read more »
Ozil is contributing so little, recycles the ball around midfield, stands off when defending, does not try anything risky. It looks like he is just going through the motions.
Still our best creator.
@alex. Statistically that’s no longer true. If he’s not contributing end product then it’s not clear he should be in the team
By that metric then our whole midfield, plus Pepe and Laca should be out of the team cos there hasn’t been any end product from them for a long time.
That was like a win what character the team showed so many positives about that performance .
Chelsea didn’t create a chance in the game where they should have definitely scored other than there second .
Hats off for Xhaka done a real good job for the team .
Guendouzi and Willock DO NOT have Özil’s level yet. Next season? Wait and see. Today? No.
He is another in the tradition of Cygan, Senderos (in the end), Squillachi, Stepanovs, Andy Linighan and good old Gus Caesar. So he is actually very Arsenal indeed.
Mind you some traditions deserve to be broken.
Silvestre deserves a mention in that hall of notoriety
I would have thought Dani, but if he is not getting games now, he is probably not good enough for us.
I think Saka is a real player already, not the makings of one. He is doing so well out of position, you can imagine how good he will be in his preferred role.
Performance of the season. So much grit and character. Unbelievable game! COYG
Not hard in this abysmal season
Didnt they remove the triple punishment from the pl?
When making a genuine ball playing attempt
Well then thats a stupid rule. How are you supposed to know whether or not a player makes a genuine attempt?
Agree – defo a pen, but thought the red was a tad harsh considering it means a deliberate foul
Fantastic effort to get the draw.
One day a player will think before diving in why not let him shoot,he may miss but if he scores it’s likely to be 1-0 down with 11 men not 10.
I thought that was more a last man tackle than a dangerous tackle. The triple punishment applies for the dangerous tackle, I think.
No such thing as a last man tackle. It’s either denying a goal scoring opportunity or not. In this case, it was clear it was a goal scoring opportunity, hence the red.
Hence the Last Man bit. I meant either a clear goal scoring opportunity or a dangerous/malicious tackle. Case in point, Luiz’s tackle vs Auba’s tackle.
Ridiculous, crazy game. We were better with 10 men, have to hail the character of the players. Martinelli, Saka, Bellerin, Torreira, Xhaka and Leno all take a bow!
Impossible not to be pleased with the way we played with 10. That’s twice we have played with 10 and both times I have felt proud of the way the players reacted
Undefeated in 2020 !!!
That is the Arsenal that we all want – fighting for the shirt & making us proud! How much did Martinelli cost us? Potential world beater if he stays fit and is well managed.
Definitely some resemblance to the young rough and raw Ronaldo when he was first at United. Clearly I’m getting carried away but fuck it.
Still unbeaten in 2020! The Arteta steamroller is unimpeded B^)
Even Roma wasn’t built in a day.
It will come a time to turn those draws into a win. Remember we didn’t lose since we lost to Chelsea at the Emirate.
And also Martinelli is 18 yrs old, Just putting it out there as a reminder to everyone.
Get the fuck in!
Can’t get over that moment Kante was overcome by the ghost of John Terry. HA!
If you watch it close, it was the change in direction of Martinelli that causes the slip.
Team fought for the badge tonight! Bravo.
Bad, stupid things keep happening to this team, but damn it, we FIGHT and I love it!
This is 4-0 easily if this were earlier in the season. Instead, Arsenal were the more threatening side for chunks of the second half.
Martinelli’s middle name should be “£200mil release clause.”
F that psg/real will pick him next season. 300 mil will do.
Shout out to Mustafi who had a great game ever since *that* brain fart – unfortunately, *that* brain fart is what epitomises him as a player – he’s only great for 89 minutes.
He needs a brain transplant. Otherwise, he’s good.
Shout out to Mustafi – GO AND GO NOW.
Today I felt genuinely sorry for the guy…
On the lighter side, he is at least bringing variety in his f*ckups…
What a heroic performance from the lads – haven’t seen grit and determination like that from an Arsenal side in years and it was brilliant. Is it too early to get started on the statue outside the Emirates for Martinelli?
I’ve haven’t celebrated a goal like Bellerins for a long time. This is a huge psychological boost.
Don’t want to overreact or anything but we’ve found our own Pele. Don’t know about you guys but Martinelli is worth more than a hundred mil right now. Arteta will have us competing again if backed in the summer. COYFG!!!
That martinelli goal was the most exhilarating moment of the season for me.
Until the Bellerin Goal 😉
I know! Tough choice between the two I’ll choose martinelli just cos he is just 18. It’s actually absurd.
Wish I could say the same but my stream froze for 10 seconds just between the corner and the shot. 🙁
Mustafi actually did ok. But there is always a fuck up coming, without him arsenal would be a much easier watch.
Mustafi’s game in a nutshell.
Play extremely well for 89 minutes.
Makes mindnumbing mistakes for the 1 minute.
Same thing last game (only didn’t result in a goal)
Same thing here.
I very much want him to do well at Arsenal.
But I have no hope that will happen.
But I like this new grit Arsenal!
How does Martinellis contract look like? Given his age and the quality he already has he would be the first player id keep next to Pepe in this team of today.
Ahead of Pepe. Your bad at quantity surveying
You’re * ?
A little bit of fever today and wasn’t improving during the match. A fantastic effort from our guys.
Top 4 is lost, but build om this in EL, a couple of new players and will be competitive for top 4 again.
In Arteta we trust!
Another slip at the bridge, you love to see em!
You know what? Pride. That’s what I feel tonight. Absolute fucking pride.
Forget the Mustafi fuck up. Forget the red card. Forget going 1-0 down. Forget the fact that it’s another draw. Forget that fact that the problems are still there. Tonight we showed bottle and fight. 3,000 of our best took over their place tonight, and the only voices you heard were Arsenal ones. Only wish I’d have been there for this one.
No, let’s not forget the Mustafi fuck-up. That muppet cost us two more points tonight.
The point is that I don’t really want to give much thought to the negatives tonight off the back of a proper spirited performance. I’ll take my lot this time around.
But what you seem to have overlooked is that this spirited performance from the team deserved three points – not two dropped points due to the continued mistakes of an idiot.
Arteta must feel like he is building a house out of sand and blu tack I’m the rain.
I think this is the longest unbeaten run after that of the start of the season. Man we were bad. I think the first game plan of Alteta is not to lose or rather being hard to beat
I remember some times in Wenger era we lost some very easy games just for being naive and couldn’t settle for a point and we would end up shipping goals on a counter.
Good to know time have changed because this is a kind of games we normally lose.
When Bellerins goal slowly glided in, I felt something I haven’t felt for awhile regarding this club. Feelings, goosebumps, shivers whatever. Maybe I’m even stating to believe.
We were much better after Ozil went off in the 55th minute.
Thanks God, Auba was on a red! Or Martinelli wouldn’t have played! Forget Auba, start the Brasilian!
You mean play Auba through the middle and bench Laca!
A great night’s work. Another Mustafi moment of madness put us in deep do do, but we showed a massive amount of character to come back twice and rescue a point. We have plenty of grit but we need to add the quality, especially in defence.
Feels like a win tonight.
It should have been a win. It would have been a win but for Mustafi.
When Bellerins goal slowly glided in, I felt something I haven’t felt for a while regarding this club. Feelings, goosebumps, shivers, whatever positive things my brain and heart needed. Did I just start to believe?!
Martinelli, Saka, Leno, Toreirria. These dudes warm my heart! Well done!
Xhaka’s best position.
Centre Back
I did not expect Hector to be that good so soon. I’m not talking about his goal. I am seriously gob smacked by his defensive performance!
Can we stop playing Ozil now? And has Xhaka earned forgiveness from enough people now?
When you’re a kid you are put in defence because the better players are in midfield or forward (I was a defender) and maybe that’s what should happen here. Not looking for apology just a better midfielder. He did well tonight and maybe if he stays a good squad player but we need a step up from him to get CL again.
Contrast this nonsense with the disclosure by Frank Lampard in his post-match presser, when asked why Chelsea had problems controlling the game against X men vs XI. Below is a quote:
“….for 15 minutes in the first half it did. We were probably of the mindset of them having XI and Ozil pulling to the side and giving us some problems and us being in some sort of middle ground.”- Frank Lampard, post match presser.
Thank God you are not our coach. Now I am starting to believe that there is a stereotype against Ozil.
Luis was the villain in the piece for me. He really didn’t need to do what he did.
Rubbish. He was put under unnecessary pressure by your idiot idol’s under hit back pass. At least Luiz had the bravery to go in and make a challenge – your idol would have let the forward score, fallen flat on his arse and blamed the rest of the team. You Mustafi worshippers. All the same.
I offer my children to Martinelli.
I believe in the Arteta project. It may be slow but it will surely work.
Why dont we just make Francis Cagigao in charge of all player recruitment.First Cesc then hector and now Martinelli. given the financial might of our rivals these types of up and coming signings are what we should aim for.
Absolutely buzzing after that, feels like a win! Nice to see us show Character and passion and put a proper shift in. Hats off to Martinelli and Saka, Torreira run himself into ground, great goal from Hector and Xhaka looking like a class Centre Back. The away fans in great voice as well. Best thing is i really care again for the first time in ages. We Love you Arsenal we do
Gutsy performance that 2nd half.
This group of players as a team have sucked some of the joy out of the fanbase this season, but that 2nd half was a great display. IMHO the best half of football this season by the team. They dug deep, put in a shift. Great!
Martinelli, he brings the joy back doesnt he. Kids got a huge future.
Finally, I hate to see play acting with time wasting etc, how often have we had teams do that against Arsenal… was very satisifying seeing us do it for a change especially against that mob.
After Luiz started his leave, I guess Arteta was about to substitute either Martinelli or Lacazette for Holding and play 4-2-3. But as Xhaka did well as central defender, he postponed it. We sort of played with one midfielder, Torreira.
The last 20 minutes were very entertaining. We need to win again soon, and I guess we will.
We will smash our next Premiership opponents – you heard it here first! 🙂
Mustafi not playing then, Paul? Or is that another cheap shot?
Why so cross?
Are you for real? Arsenal deserved to win tonight. But we didn’t, because of that idiot’s under hit back pass. He put David Luiz under unnecessary pressure to make a do or die 50/50. Luiz came off worst, got the red and we were a goal behind and down to ten men before halftime. All because that cretin can’t pass. This team should be savouring a hard fought 2-1 victory tonight, not another case of unnecessary dropped points.