Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Merino, Jesus, Trossard
Arsenal lost further ground on their title rivals after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Gabriel Martinelli’s second half strike quickly cancelled out by Pedro Neto.
Mikel Arteta made two changes to the team that lost against Inter on Wednesday with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard both deemed fit enough to start, replacing Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard.
Chelsea started well and David Raya was called into action within minutes when Cole Palmer found space and struck a rasping effort from distance, but the Spaniard reacted quickly to tip over.
Arsenal did eventually settle in possession but the hosts had another sight of goal when Palmer turned Thomas Partey too easily in midfield, before freeing Pedro Neto who found Noni Madueke at the back post, only for his header to be arrowed wide.
The hosts should have been ahead moments later when Neto toyed with Ben White on the left hand side, before drifting a perfect cross to the back post – leaving Raya stranded – but Malo Gusto headed over under pressure from Martinelli.
Then it was Arsenal’s turn to test the goalkeeper when their high press caught Chelsea in possession, with the ball falling to Martinelli after Saka saw his initial shot blocked, but he could only find the outstretched arm of Robert Sanchez after taking the ball into his stride.
Heading into the half hour mark, the game was becoming increasingly frenetic and Kai Havertz thought he put Arteta’s men ahead after quick thinking from Declan Rice played him through on goal before finishing brilliantly under pressure.
He celebrated by shushing his former fans but the goal was correctly ruled out after VAR intervention.
Half time provided a welcome breather for both sides, although the first half was low on quality despite Chelsea probably edging the contest on chances. The Gunners did grow into the game but their attacking play was far from fluid again.
After the break, there was another nearly moment for the hosts when Wesley Fofana did well to escape the clutches of William Saliba but sent a looping effort over on the stretch.
But it was Arsenal who would break the deadlock after a brilliant pass from Odegaard found Martinelli unmarked at the back post, who controlled and finished expertly at the near post with Chelsea sleeping defensively. 1-0.
You could sense the relief in his celebration – kissing the badge in front of the travelling fans – and also the Gunners collectively, who knew how important that goal was after a difficult run of results.
That goal seemed to flick a switch in Arsenal who were close to doubling their lead moments later, when a brilliant piece of individual play from Jurrien Timber saw him slalom between three Blues defenders and strike just wide from the edge of the area.
Unfortunately, that shot of energy would last just ten minutes when Neto was given the freedom of the pitch to shoot from 25 yards and he obliged with a clinical effort into the bottom corner. 1-1.
It was a great strike from the winger but there are questions to be asked of the Gunners’ defending with Partey and Rice both positioned as centre backs for some reason, unable to close down the ball quickly enough.
With 20 minutes to play, Arteta responded with a double change, bringing on Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard for Rice and Martinelli – and Merino almost made an instant impact.
He was inches away from converting a Saka cross which somehow found its way to the back post, before rising high at the back post to head across for Havertz who was unable to stretch in front of the goalkeeper.
Saka was then forced off after a heavy challenge from Marc Cucurella and swiftly replaced by Gabriel Jesus.
The game was becoming increasingly stretched and there was another golden chance for Arsenal, who saw Jesus break down the right and cross to Merino who couldn’t quite connect before Trossard blasted over from close range.
It was a terrible miss from the Belgian who is usually reliable in those situations but upon further replays, Jesus looked offside in the build up and any goal would have been ruled out.
Deep into injury time, it looked like Arsenal would snatch all three points after Odegaard found Saliba deep into the Chelsea penalty area, but his cross was somehow diverted wide by Trossard with Havertz ready to tap in behind him.
Saliba might have also been offside in the build up, but that chance not only summed up the day – but the season – for Arsenal who have been a “nearly” team far too often.
Arteta’s men now sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool after 11 games, and paid the price for switching off defensively after working so hard to take the lead.
There is still plenty of time to turn things around but already the title looks further away than it has at any point in the last two campaigns, and it would take an incredible run to now make up the difference.
Fingers crossed for everybody’s health during the international break and against Forest on November 23rd – we go again.
Much better, but an opportunity missed again. I’ll have to enjoy Spuds vs Ipswich on MOTD instead.
Definitely a lot better, our defending and pressing a bit lax at times but so much sharper and more threatening than we have been recently, with Martin slowly getting back to full fitness and Martinelli hopefully finding his shooting boots finally I think we can feel mostly encouraged by this performance.
(as long as Bukayo’s okay)
Thought we dominated after they equalised and looked the most likely to win it. Trossard did well when he came on and it emphasised the view that he is impact sub and not a starter. Merino looked good as well.
Sorry but merino is too slow on the ball. At this point I rather have Jorginho come in to replace rice.
Oh wow. If your takeaway from watching what Merino added to this game was “he’s too slow on the ball”, then there’s a good chance you may never warm to him.
They will down you for saying the truth not just that he too slow he also look stiff
We either watched a different game, or I had Merino mistaken for somebody else
What a terrible season so far. Can’t buy a win.
It will be the most Arsenal thing ever if City drop the pace and instead of us taking it, Liverpool win the league.
Which, by the way, should be a sacking for any man who’s had 5 years and £500m no matter what I think of him.
It has happened before, remember Leicester……..!?
How much has Chelsea spent? United? Stupid argument, somehow spending money on good players makes you angry?
Because, of course, league titles get handed out in November.
A lot of football to be played yet mate.
You’ll learn….
Qwalitee, feels like I haven’t seen you here for a while
I’m 44
Then your experience means you should know better than to write off a team for the league title in November. Four behind City, who we still have to play at the Emirates? Nine behind the Phlegm Spouters and we still have to travel to Anfield? Still all to play for, mate.
We now only have Anfield and Old Toilet left in terms of big away games. Once Odegaard gets the team glued together again, we’ll be fine.
Calm down a bit Alex bro. There’s a bit of positive we can take away from today. Forget the inter result, that was a shambolic pen and we weren’t as dreadful as last weekend.
It’s still November, and Liverpool just lost TAA for a bit by the looks of it. They’re not exactly very heavy on squad depth. City look a bit off the pace too this season. Point is, still too early to feel this doom and gloom. Cheer up! Join the Ipswich crowd for tonight 😅
And with that, our titles hopes have most likely been shattered.
It’s an absulte shame that this is happening in a season when City is vulnerable and the league was up for grabs if we could have at least come close to replicating our performances from 22/23 or 23/24.
Yup its gone
Much too early to write us off.
The hope is what kills you. Much better to understand a team has never come back from 9 points down to win it. Your heart will thank you!
Arsenal have, albeit with 3 (or 2) games in hand
Agreed. We’ve played some tough games. We’ve already played City, Chelsea, Spuds, Newcastle, Villa away with a make shift side at times or less than 11 players.
Imagine the river of ejaculate from the pundits when the bin dippers win the league in Slot’s first season. Makes me want to puke.
The season ends in May, not November.
You still haven’t learnt, have you….
Defeatists!! Gained a point on City this weekend, Liverpool will have way tougher times to come. We’ll pick up form too.. plus we’ve now played probably 5 of the 6 or 7 toughest away games. Still such a long way to go.. come on you Gunners!
Don’t think Liverpool will keep up this run… But my fear is, they might not crumble as badly as we need them to in order to have a chance. For now, I will be able that we have City within sights.
We were 10 points behind Liverpool last season and still finished comfortably in front of them. Another 27 matches left to play so let’s not be so negative.
Please not play.
negative Nellys the lot of them, introduce perspective here at your own peril.
fortunately we also have a positive Nelli on the field again!
This is not Klopp’s Liverpool where they were running ragged all game. This new Liverpool control the game even when they aren’t playing well. And they know how to hold on to. Lead. Unlike us.
We don’t deserve winning anything playing like how we’ve playing.
Exactly. 9 points is nothing in November and Liverpool’s squad haven’t been tested yet
They’ve been tested against this same Chelsea and Brighton sides we drew against. away/home doesn’t matter when you want to win the league. All games carry 3 points.
They’ve also been tested against leverkusen, Brentford , Bournemouth.
This argument that Liverpool haven’t been tested is longer valid.
Besides we need to worry about leapfrogging City .
I didn’t say they haven’t been tested.
I said their “squad” hasn’t been tested
Not really. Too early to write us off. There’s still a lot of football to play this season. Also with all respects to Liverpool , 9 points off Liverpool is not 9 points off citeh. The biggest problem for use is that so many of our front players are out of form. Trossard, Martinelli (forget the goal), Jesus, Merino. The goals have dried up. Also Arteta is generally risk-averse. It reflects on the lack of rotation and the slow build up in our play. The 2 weeks break couldn’t have come at a better time. But then that depends on… Read more »
Your opinion is definitely unpopular, but I do agree that from hereon, winning the title requires a near perfect campaign. Signs thus far suggest otherwise. Could only hope.
Our hopes for 25/26 are gone. No way we can win it now.
3 months into this season and you’re already thinking of next season
It’s 11 games in and ‘Pool are on a 97 point pace. They won’t get 97 points this year. They will not continue at this pace. But yes, Arsenal are now under pressure.
Sigh
Fuck Chelsea, what a whiny bunch of twats.
But also: what a delight to watch Martin Odegaard play football again.
Fuck Michael Oliver. Fuck Howard Webb and PGMOL. And to Michael Owen, fuck you too!!!
Yeah, I get that.
Chelsea were there for the taking.
Again, no attack from the bench=no league title.
Gabriel Jesus is not him
I’m sorry Jesus needs to go. His body language is all wrong. Sulking as he came on. We can’t keep hoping and praying he’ll get back to form. His attitude is shit and it’s getting old
Agree, bringing in nothing to the table right now, goes to ground to easily looking for foul. Sad to say this considering what a player he was in the first 6.months of joining.
I’ll guess he has the most offsides this season with such little game time
On paper the bench is strongest it has been in decades, in reality though it’s too many out of form players.
There goes the title
Not yet mate, it’s gonna be tough but it’s not gone until it’s gone.
Disappointed by almost every players tonight. Think Mikel will need to decide between Declan and Partey cause the former is not doing it at left 8.
At least Odegaard is able to play 90 min.
Declan seems to be off the pace, not bad but not the dominant player when signed.
The man is playing with a broken toe to be fair
Decent performance. I thought that Merino was excellent when he came on
Where’s the double thumbs down option
I’m disappointed that we did not win, but I think merino deserves credit where it is due, as many have been quick to criticise. He got out of some difficult situations in risky positions, kept the ball and provided a goal threat
Great result, given our recent form vs Chelsea’s. I wish we had more impactful subs available, I’m ready to let Eboue give it a go vs Jesus…By the way, why did we keep backing off and giving them space in the final third so much? Neto’s goal came exactly from this, but we kept doing it throughout the game…
Neto goal was so depressingly preventable.
The biggest issue for me was that we seemingly were set up like this and they finally exploited it. There were a few times in first half where all the defenders just let Chelsea run at them, flank or centre, hence why I thought it was a tactical set-up. We stopped doing it so much after their goal. I’m no tactical genius, so more curious if it was there and why…
Agree, I think it has to be tactical.
We need some serious interlull voodoo resetting magic. Liverpool have tough fixtures coming. Ours are winnable. Come on boys.
Where’s the Saudi trip?
I do hope that it is proven that Saliba was offside in that last minute attack because otherwise Trossard has a lot to answer for. Overall a draw was a fair result and a much better performance, mainly due to our captains return. Its amazing the difference he makes both in attack and triggering the press.
Some players, I have to say, annoy me to the point of hiring a contract sniper to eradicate their stupid curly ferrrety little lives !! Could have won Should have won ! The footballing Gods & the refereeing fraternity do not smile on us this season !!!
Sure hope our players have more belief than what I’m seeing from the fickle fanbase ATM. Yes it’s been an incredibly difficult start to the season for a lot of reasons, but I saw genuine improvement from the boys today. We keep playing like this and we have a real chance, even if it’s out of our hands now. I will be hoping for the title until it’s mathematically gone or we clinch it.
We’ve dropped 10 points out of the last 12.
I wish I had your optimism.
Very positive comment Fats considering we dropped points needlessly. Appreciate your measured response.
Yes for various reasons this has been a difficult start, but the points gap does make believing a little difficult, but yes, not impossible.
The league is still there for the taking.
Strange to take off Martinelli, he was causing trouble and had his best game of the season
I think it’s because he forgot to track Neto.
Havertz literally stood there and watched Nero lol.
Neto was in the area Partey should have been standing in rather than in the back line
Partey was covering for Saliba at centre-half because he had gone wide …
Not saying much though. Most of the match I thought I was Jack Grealish, with all the backwards/sideways passing. He either needs to be dropped, or a system set up to create more space on that side for him.
At this point I’d give Sterling a go, and that is saying a lot, as I’ve never rated him
Funny how Oliver gave that yellow card to Mandueke for delaying the freekick after Palmer had delayed the kick first…maybe he suddenly remembered that he sent trossard off for…trying to pass to Martinelli..feels like we’re playing it a bit to safe and get nervous once we take the lead at the moment…
That incident right at the end perfectly summed up this season. We have no cutting edge.
We dominated much of the game but didn’t create much. Our best first-half chance was fluffed by Martinelli. Then he scored in the second period and it looked like we might just win. But bad defending let the chavs back in.
But we could have won it if we had a proper striker. But we don’t. We had Trossard.
Title over. In November.
Sad.
Nah, we were 8 points ahead a few seasons back at Christmas once too. I don’t think Liverpool has shown they can keep that lead yet, not like City did. Both City and Liverpool still have to play each other as well. Overall, too early to tell. I just wish we didn’t play so conservatively at times, maybe throw a youngster or two to produce some magic…
I do hope what you say comes to pass and we overturn the 9 points lead and end as winners! That said the chasing team that season was a well-Saudi-oiled City, which we are not. At this point in time farming from it.
The league has barely started, Sir.😀
Liverpool have some tough matches in December, let’s see where we are at the end of January?
Agree, we need attackers that can execute and score goals. Another striker would be great so we don’t run Kai into the ground. Trossard and Jesus need to leave after this season (preferably in Jan but let’s be realistic) and replaced with a left and right winger of quality to be capable of competing for time. Saka is no where near his form but when properly rested he has that pop in his sprints. Arteta wanted Jesko and Nico last window, so the quality is correct, now we just need to target transfers that will actually sign for us instead… Read more »
We need new attacking signings to improve our bench. One winger, one attacking mid or an attack minded aggressive CM, and one striker.
Hopefully we can at least get one in the January window
I agree. Our attack has stagnated. We have only one lineup now. We need atleast 2.
Speaking of striker, what’s Bendtner up to these days?…
Trossard’s lackadaisical ways will cost us a lot. This is not the first time he does this.
How many times did this guy save us?
Fair enough, but he has also missed some sitters at crucial moments.
I’m more worried about Jesus. Trossard was always a transitional signing. He was never meant to be the future. That’s on our recruitment team for messing up.
Can we just to go to Dubai please?
Bloody diving chavs! Chelsea are a joke and we should have capitalised.
The only positive is that most of our difficult away games are done now.
Those two dives by Jackson in a span of 3 minutes should be memorialised as part of Chelsea’s highlight reel this year. Good thing Palmer thought they were dives too, apparently
The first few things these Chelski players are taught on arriving is how to whine, fall in 100s of ways, roll around on the ground, etc. And I will admit, they are good at it.
Much better performance, and better still that this is the 2nd consecutive improvement in performance match by match. Disappointing result though. Takes Pool 9 points clear and City too 4 points above. Attacking is still looking disjointed and lacking sharpness badly, so many high pitch turnovers leading to nothing. Also, a defence that looked worldclass at the start of season is too many conceding goals, how many games without a cleansheet? Hope the team returns fitter and better.
It’s all connected. Good attack means less worry about defence. We lose balls in transition which is leading to goals.
Agree, but there goal was not a ball lost in transition, neither were the ones conceded against Inter on Castle. Today’s was defenders backing off, Midfield ball watching, etc.
Ref’s have killed our season no doubt now. We are reffed differently and it’s clear to see, white getting carded for nothing fouls. I could not believe caicedo went without an yellow. Yes we are out of form, but this circumstances have being created by us being fcked by ref.
Caicedo made 2 blatant pushes from behind in a matter of 2-3 minutes, and it was pretty much the same throughout the game. The fact that he came out without a card, and White was booked for a little handshake on the grass-roller, shows Mr. Oliver is too anti-Arsenal to be Reffing Arsenal games.
The game at Inter and today were two absolutely fine away performances for me. Shouldn’t have lost at inter and should have won today but you can’t really blame the team. Conceded almost nothing in both games. The fact that these games are seen so negative from a lot of people has more to do with the performance in the game against Newcastle than in these games imp. But for me this have been 2 very good away performances within 4 days against top opposition.
I think you are just getting conned there. You say a shit show at Newcastle and think that a improved (but in no way good) performance at Inter as VERY good performance. Here today again, this was a decent performance (maybe even a good one) but very good is a little bit of a stretch. Also, for a team that is challenging for the title, especially challenging a City team that has 4 consecutive titles, don’t you think that a good performance should at the very least merit a point, but we lost at Inter. So none were VERY good… Read more »
An equalizer after we take a lead is almost a guarantee lately. When was the last time we were able to hold onto a lead all game? We score and just magically sit back. Lost the lead against Liverpool twice!
At this point I’m pretty sure those are instructions from the coach to sit back! Someone needs to slap some sense into Arteta ASAP!
Not only that, but we seem to lose our balls completely and start gifting the opponent the ball…we’re way to risk averse..better to go for broke and get three points or lose..
Everytime we play in the front foot with confidence we seem to do better at defence as well as attack. This, I thought, was applicable here as well as against Liverpool. But don’t know why we suddenly become so defence minded after scoring.
Doesn’t help that the ref gives every 50/50 againt us heaping on the pressure. And I’m against slapping sense into people.
The good thing is that we have played all our difficult away matches bar Liverpool. Hopefully, we’ll be renewed after the interlull and start battering teams at the Emirates starting with Forest
Absolutely hope the same. We will need to perform way better in order to batter teams though. Will take wins anyhow.
Better, but I think it’s not our year for league. But I fancy for us a cheeky champions league. George graham style. 0-0 1-0 and 1-0 in the final. COYG
How does Caicedo avoid getting booked , nasty little scrote.