Gabriel Martinelli gave Mikel Arteta's side the lead at Stamford Bridge, but they couldn't hang on as they again failed secure victory
Arsenal lost more ground in the Premier League title race despite Martin Odegaard's best efforts in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The first half threatened to burst into life at times, with both sides creating chances, but a lack of quality in front of goal kept the score goalless at the interval. Kai Havertz thought he’d gotten one over on his former club when he scored from a quick free-kick, but the German had strayed just offside. At the other end, Cole Palmer’s early long-range effort was tipped over by David Raya.
Gabriel Martinelli had endured a difficult first 45 minutes, squandering a great chance to put the visitors ahead when put through on goal. But with question marks remaining over his end product, the Brazilian winger responded to the critics by making it 1-0 when Odegaard capitalised on some slack Chelsea defending to find Martinelli in space, and he did the rest to finish at the near post.
The Blues had done little else to trouble Raya, and it looked like something special would be required for them to get back into the contest. Step up Pedro Neto, who fired a rasping effort from distance into the bottom corner in the 70th minute.
There was still time for either team to find a winner, but one proved elusive in a result that stretches Arsenal's winless run in the league to four matches, leaving them fourth in the table and nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Stamford Bridge…
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David Raya (6/10):
Produced a good stop early on to tip over Palmer's long-range effort. Looked assured between the sticks before Neto's fine equaliser.
Ben White (6/10):
The right-back had a tricky battle with the pacey Neto, a task made even more difficult when he was booked in the first half. Coped well but was unable to provide much attacking threat.
William Saliba (6/10):
Limited the number of good chances Chelsea's attackers had with a fine showing.
Gabriel Maghalhaes (6/10):
Helped to keep Jackson quiet, despite the Senegalese forward's pace.
Jurrien Timber (5/10):
Like White, Timber offered little support to Martinelli and then Trossard down the left as he remained conscious of Chelsea's pace.
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Martin Odegaard (8/10):
In his first start since August, the Norwegian showed how much he's been missed with a moment of quality for Martinelli's goal. Did really well to last the full 90 minutes.
Thomas Partey (6/10):
Helped to keep Palmer quiet, which was his biggest responsibility of the match.
Declan Rice (5/10):
Battled through the pain barrier but couldn't stamp his authority on the game in the same way that Caicedo did for Chelsea.
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Bukayo Saka (5/10):
Failed to make an impact on the game as Chelsea deployed two players to stop him. Substituted with 10 minutes to go after going down with an injury.
Kai Havertz (6/10):
Had a goal disallowed in the first half and didn't come close to scoring after that, with Trossard snatching an open goal away from him at the death.
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
Never gave up after a difficult first half, and got his rewards by scoring Arsenal's opener.
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Mikel Merino (6/10):
Nearly scored minutes after coming on, but couldn't get enough purchase on his header.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
What was he thinking?! Snatched a late chance from Havertz as the German waited to put the ball in.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Came on for Saka but didn't threaten.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Didn't get much wrong and Arsenal could have won it in the end, but the Spaniard will be worried about his side's winless run.
