Pedro Neto dealt a recent blow to spluttering Arsenal’s Premier League title problem because the Chelsea winger’s excellent strike rescued a 1-1 draw within the London derby on Sunday. Mikel Arteta‘s aspect had taken the lead via Gabriel Martinelli’s second-half purpose at Stamford Bridge. However Neto’s equaliser 10 minutes later earned Chelsea a deserved level and left the Gunners with no win of their final 4 league video games. Neto’s first Premier League purpose since his transfer from Wolves in August stored third-placed Chelsea above fourth-placed Arsenal on purpose distinction. Each groups are 9 factors behind leaders Liverpool, however whereas Chelsea will likely be inspired by their place after exceeding expectations in Enzo Maresca‘s first season in cost, Arsenal head into the worldwide break assailed by questions on their malaise.
Overwhelmed 1-0 by Inter Milan within the Champions League on Wednesday, sizzling on the heels of final weekend’s loss at Newcastle, Arsenal have received simply three of their final 9 league video games.
Chasing a primary title since 2004 after ending second to Manchester Metropolis in every of the previous two seasons, Arsenal lack the fluency that carried them so near the trophy final time period.
The north Londoners’ solely wins of their final seven matches in all competitions got here in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston within the League Cup.
Maresca has repeatedly claimed he doesn’t consider Chelsea are able to problem for the title, however the Italian has laid spectacular foundations since arriving on the underachieving membership within the shut season.
Though they had been unable to safe a primary house win in opposition to Chelsea for six years, Maresca’s younger crew look like not off course eventually.
Cole Palmer, the jewel in Maresca’s crown, shortly compelled David Raya into motion with a 25-yard drive that the Arsenal keeper tipped over.
Astutely dropping deep to take possession in midfield, Palmer led a number of Chelsea counter-attacks that had Arteta fretting on the touchline as Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked and Noni Madueke’s header looped broad.
Gusto ought to have put Chelsea forward halfway via the primary half when Neto teased Ben White with some nimble footwork earlier than whipping in a pin-point cross that the defender one way or the other headed over from shut vary.
Chelsea had imposed their will on Arsenal with a tenacious show that includes some bruising challenges.
However their propensity for overplaying from their very own purpose kicks practically proved deadly when Levi Colwill’s sloppy go led to Martinelli forcing an excellent cease from Robert Sanchez.
Martin Odegaard began his first Arsenal sport since August 31 after getting back from an ankle damage as a late substitute in opposition to Inter in midweek.
Odegaard appeared to have laid on Arsenal’s opener when his fast free-kick discovered Kai Havertz, who slotted previous Sanchez within the thirty second minute.
However Havertz’s celebrations had been curtailed by a VAR examine that confirmed the previous Chelsea striker was offside by the narrowest of margins.
Regardless of that slender escape, Chelsea had loved a robust spell and so they went near incomes a tangible reward when Wesley Fofana volleyed simply over from Madueke’s cross early within the second half.
Arsenal stored plugging away and snatched the lead on the hour.
Surrounded by defenders on the sting of the Chelsea space, Odegaard cleverly labored simply sufficient area to clip a chic go to the unmarked Martinelli and the Brazilian’s close-range strike beat Sanchez too simply at his close to put up.
It was precisely the form of magical second that Arsenal had so sorely missed in Odegaard’s absence.
Suitably impressed by his captain, Jurrien Timber virtually doubled Arsenal’s lead with a buccaneering run that finish with a low drive that whistled simply broad.
However Arsenal’s lead was short-lived as Maresca’s tactical change paid dividends within the seventieth minute.
Transferring Neto from the left to the correct flank allowed the Portugal winger to chop inside for a blistering low strike that arrowed into the underside nook from 25 yards and left Arteta holding his head in frustration.
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