Chelsea and Arsenal both fall further behind league leaders
Chelsea 1 - 1 Arsenal
Pedro Neto's well-taken equaliser levelled things up in a lively encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Having started the weekend seven points adrift, Chelsea and Arsenal now trail by nine, with Arsenal in particular struggling, having now gone five games without a win in all competitions.
Arsenal took the lead when Gabriel Martinelli blasted past Robert Sanchez at the near post after collecting Martin Odegaard’s cross. Chelsea’s equaliser was fully deserved, with Neto latching onto an Enzo Fernandez pass, cutting inside, and drilling a low shot into the corner past David Raya.
England star Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury late on as both teams searched for a winner. Arsenal came close, but Leandro Trossard narrowly missed William Saliba’s cross in the dying seconds before the final whistle. Before that, Martinelli had a good chance and Kai Havertz saw a goal chalked off for offside.
Chelsea have lost just once in their past 10 matches and looked confident throughout. Cole Palmer set an early tone with a long-range effort tipped over by Raya, while Malo Gusto missed a header from close range.
Chelsea and Arsenal fans respond.
For Chelsea fans, the reaction was mixed. On the one hand, they felt a certain satisfaction with the spirited performance against a strong Arsenal side, appreciating how the team showcased resilience and intensity. There has been an improvement in midfield control, and many fans also believe they are developing a more cohesive style under the current manager. Yet, the draw left some frustrated at missed opportunities.
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One Chelsea fan, Lewis from Greater Manchester, said: "We could have won if we had been more clinical. Being third in the table during the November international break is something any Chelsea fan would have dreamed of at the start of the season."
My fellow Arsenal fans were certainly less positive about their side's performance. One told me: "Another disappointing performance; it was really flat at times with a significant lack of creativity, despite Martin Odegaard's return. The search for a cutting edge in January is essential, as we're missing a difference-maker."
Bench Cam is live, Gooners 📺
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 12, 2024
Watch all the touchline reactions from Sunday's Stamford Bridge battle 👇
