Martinelli breezing past Kante

Match Report Match Highlights Post-Match Press Conference

Final Result: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal

Goal Scorers: Chelsea (Jorginho 28′ pen, Azpilicueta 84′), Arsenal (Martinelli 64′, Bellerin 87′)

Arsenal XI (Subs) (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, D. Luiz, Mustafi, Saka; Xhaka, Torreira; Martinelli, Ozil, Pepe; Lacazette

With the games coming thick and fast, there was no time to sulk over the draw against Sheffield United last weekend, as the Gunners arrived at Stamford Bridge, 10 points behind the inconsistent Chelsea. Both teams were in a poor vein of form and someone joked that it was the kind of game that both of them could actually lose.

There was some concern around the inclusion of Shkodran Mustafi in the starting lineup for the second league match in a row, because with Mustafi, you would always expect a calamity as he is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, and we got just that when the German defender gifted the ball to Tammy Abraham, putting his team on the lurch. David Luiz, that was jeered by the home crowd all game long, tried to cover his defense partner’s mess but a late tackle on the Chelsea forward that earned him his marching orders.

Jorginho stepped up and dispatched the penalty aplomb. 

As you’d expect from a team with a man down, Arsenal was on the back foot with Chelsea on the ascendancy but it’s worth noting that Granit Xhaka dropped deep as an auxiliary center back and became a colossus in defense. Against the run of play, Arsenal grabbed the equalizer when Gabriel Martinelli latched onto Mustafi’s headed clearance from a corner kick, made a 67-yard dash that coincided with a hilarious slip from N’Golo Kante before coming clean on goal and side footing the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal.

The game was delicately poised with all three points there for the taking, Chelsea must have thought that they had done enough for a victory when Cesar Azpilicueta guided the ball home from point blank range with all the Arsenal defenders ball watching, but Hector Bellerin salvaged a point for the away side when he showed great determination to swing a hopeful left footed effort that somehow found its way past Kepa. The away team didn’t care about the nature of the goal, but snapping a draw from the jaws of defeat when you’re 10 men down is very commendable.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, spoke about the spirit and commitment from his team with their backs against the wall. Equalizing twice in an away ground with a deficit is no mean feat, and I am proud of the lads for the performance they put up.

All focus will be moved to the Bournemouth game in the FA Cup, as the Gunners will feature without their most improved defender, David Luiz, following his red card. No thanks to Mustafi.

Sayonara

Follow Gooner Daily on Twitter  @goonerdaily. I’ll follow back

Visit Gooner Daily’s  Facebook page.

Click on the “Follow button” to join Gooner Daily’s Mailing List