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Pedro Neto’s incredible goal in Sunday’s London derby saved a 1-1 draw for Chelsea, dealing a new blow to stuttering Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.
Pedro Neto’s incredible goal saved a 1-1 draw in the London derby on Sunday, dealing a new blow to stuttering Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge. Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in the second half gave Mikel Arteta’s team the lead at Stamford Bridge. However, ten minutes later, Neto equalised, giving Chelsea a well-earned point and leaving the Gunners without a victory in their last four league games. Third-place Chelsea maintained their lead over fourth-place Arsenal on goal differential thanks to Neto’s first Premier League goal since joining from Wolves in August. Chelsea will be encouraged by their position, while Arsenal will be buoyed by their position after exceeding expectations in Enzo Maresca’s first season as manager. Both teams are nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
Following their defeat at Newcastle last weekend, Arsenal lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. They have only won three of their last nine league games.
After finishing second to Manchester City in both of the previous seasons, Arsenal is vying for their first championship since 2004. They lack the fluidity that got them so close to winning the trophy the previous season.
The North Londoners have only triumphed once in their last seven games across all competitions, against second-tier Preston in the League Cup and Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe.
Although Maresca has stated time and time again that he does not think Chelsea is prepared to contend for the championship, the Italian has established strong foundations since joining the underperforming team during the offseason.
Even though they failed to defeat Chelsea at home for the first time in six years, Maresca’s youthful squad finally seems to be on the right track.
David Raya was promptly forced into action by Cole Palmer, Maresca’s crown jewel, who tipped over the Arsenal keeper with a 25-yard drive.
Palmer led multiple Chelsea counterattacks, causing Arteta to worry on the touchline as Noni Madueke’s header looped wide and Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked. Palmer had cleverly dropped deep to take possession in midfield.
Halfway through the first half, Gusto should have given Chelsea the lead when Neto teased Ben White with some deft footwork before putting in a pinpoint cross that the defender somehow missed from close range.
With a relentless performance that included some brutal challenges, Chelsea had forced their will on Arsenal.
However, their tendency to overplay from their own goal kicks almost cost them when Martinelli forced a good save from Robert Sanchez after Levi Colwill’s careless pass.
After making a late comeback from an ankle injury against Inter in midweek, Martin Odegaard started his first Arsenal match since August 31.
When Odegaard’s swift free-kick found Kai Havertz, who slipped past Sanchez in the 32nd minute, it appeared as though he had given Arsenal the lead.
However, a VAR check that revealed the former Chelsea striker was offside by the smallest of margins put an end to Havertz’s celebrations.
Despite that narrow escape, Chelsea had enjoyed a strong spell and they went close to earning a tangible reward when Wesley Fofana volleyed just over from Madueke’s cross early in the second half.
Arsenal kept plugging away and snatched the lead on the hour.
The Brazilian’s close-range goal beat Sanchez’s near post too easily after Odegaard, surrounded by defenders on the Chelsea area’s edge, deftly worked just enough space to clip a sublime pass to the unmarked Martinelli.
It was exactly the sort of magical moment that Arsenal had so sorely missed in Odegaard’s absence.
Jurrien Timber, who was suitably motivated by his captain, nearly doubled Arsenal’s lead with a daring run that ended with a low drive that went narrowly wide.
However, Maresca’s tactical adjustment paid off in the 70th minute, and Arsenal’s lead was short-lived.
Arteta held his head in frustration as the Portugal winger cut inside after Neto was moved from the left to the right flank. The low shot arrowed into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.