A stunning hit from Pedro Neto cancelled out Gabriel Martinelli's opener as London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge.
A result that leaves both teams nine points below runaway leaders Liverpool in the top-flight table, neither did enough to leave with all of the spoils, although the hosts should have been the happier at full time after absorbing some late pressure from Mikel Arteta's desperate men.
Both able to put out their strongest XIs - as Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz took to the turf from the first whistle - neither side was able to truly assert their dominance in the first half.
Indeed, defences largely came out on top as both sides struggled to find that killer final ball - Palmer in particular was getting little joy in the final third - while ex-Blue Havertz had a goal from a quickly-taken free kick chalked off for offside.
The tetchy, awkward action continued at the start of the second period, until the returning Odegaard did what he does best to help propel the visitors ahead on the hour mark, delivering a brilliant ball to the back post where Martinelli was waiting to finish it off.
However, anything that the Brazilian could do, Neto could do better, as not long after Martinelli had drawn first blood, Chelsea's summer signing found a yard of space 25 yards from goal and found the bottom corner with a rocket.
There would not be another moment of individual brilliance as the game drew to a close, although just seconds before the final whistle blew, Leandro Trossard wasted the most gilt-edged of gilt-edged chances to nab all three points for the men in red.
Ultimately, a fourth game without a win for Arsenal leaves them nine points below Liverpool as more questions arise about their title credentials, although they are at least back in the top four, while Chelsea rise to third and remain above the Gunners on goal difference.
CHELSEA VS. ARSENAL HIGHLIGHTS
Kai Havertz disallowed goal vs. Chelsea (32nd min, Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal)
Kai Havertz's effort is ruled out for offside! ❌ pic.twitter.com/muYhlw38Dz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
Chelsea are very lucky indeed.
The hosts get caught out by a quickly-taken Rice free kick to Havertz, who shrugs off the challenge of Moises Caicedo and pokes the ball home into the far corner.
Chelsea are incensed that Rice was allowed to take the set piece before they were ready, but as it was, Havertz - who did not celebrate to hesitate - had just strayed offside.
Gabriel Martinelli goal vs. Chelsea (60th min, Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal)
Gabriel Martinelli with CONVICTION! 😤 pic.twitter.com/BUfke8F4PM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
The red end erupts!
The penetrative touch that both sides have been severely lacking finally arrives, and Martinelli is the one to provide it, meeting Odegaard's cross to the back stick and coolly finishing at Robert Sanchez's near post.
Chelsea looked like they were trying to play the offside trap, but Levi Colwill was way behind his fellow defenders, and Martinelli has the time to take a touch before picking his spot.
Pedro Neto goal vs. Arsenal (70th min, Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal)
Pedro Neto fizzes it home and Chelsea are level! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/d380p0Hx3o
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
The left-wingers are stealing the spotlight in West London! Neto has his first Premier League goal for Chelsea, and what a strike it is.
Substitute Enzo Fernandez threads a slick pass through to the Portuguese in acres of space in midfield, and he picks out the bottom corner with venom from 20 yards.
Neto has been guilty of passing the ball back rather than forwards far too often this evening, but he is firmly back in the fans' good books now!
MAN OF THE MATCH - PEDRO NETO
© Imago
Many times Pedro could have tried to play the ball forward and instead went for the safe option - much to the chagrin of the home crowd - but when it mattered most, he delivered a moment of pure brilliance from 20 yards.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was also dangerous in a playmaking sense, creating two chances and delivering three accurate crosses from four attempts; Jadon Sancho has a real fight on his hands to get back into the Chelsea XI.
CHELSEA VS. ARSENAL MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 49%-51% Arsenal
Shots: Chelsea 17-12 Arsenal
Shots on target: Chelsea 3-3 Arsenal
Corners: Chelsea 4-3 Arsenal
Fouls: Chelsea 12-12 Arsenal
BEST STATS
Chelsea have been shown more cards for dissent (9) than any other side in the Premier League this season. 🟨#CHEARS
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 10, 2024
Only Cole Palmer (11) and Mo Salah (9) have more Premier League assists from open play than Martin Ødegaard (8) in 2024.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 10, 2024
The Gunners will be glad to have him back. 🙌#CHEARS pic.twitter.com/jzzO0wsrlQ
Arsenal are undefeated vs the Big 6 since start of last PL season.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) November 10, 2024
W7 D7 L0. pic.twitter.com/iMHcpve1zB
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea have the honour of kicking off the next weekend of Premier League action after the international break, when Maresca reunites with former club Leicester City in the 12.30pm kickoff on November 23.
A couple of hours later, Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium, before continuing their Champions League campaign away to a Ruben Amorim-less Sporting Lisbon on November 26.
Ben Knapton
