In what was a dramatic affair from Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, Chelsea and Arsenal performed out an exciting 1-1 stalemate in west London.
A heavyweight showdown that tends to provide loads of controversy, the sport’s massive second got here simply seven minutes earlier than the half-time break as Moises Caicedo was proven a straight purple card following a late problem on Mikel Merino.
Regardless of happening to 10-men, the Blues produced an excellent show and took the lead simply moments after the half-time break as Trevoh Chalobah headed house and set the house followers into overdrive.
Nonetheless, regardless of inflicting the runaway leaders loads of complications, Arsenal drew issues degree 11 minutes later as Spanish worldwide Merino bought on the top of Bukayo Saka’s cross and nodded previous Robert Sanchez.
Though each of the Premier League giants may need pushed for a dramatic winner late on, the factors have been ultimately shared in what was a pulsating affair.
Sunday’s stalemate signifies that Arsenal finish the weekend fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack, whereas Chelsea discover themselves nonetheless sat six factors adrift of their historic foes.
In what was an exciting showdown from west London on Sunday afternoon, we’ve got taken a take a look at the principle speaking factors from Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal widen their buffer
Whereas Arsenal may need ultimately missed out on the chance to make a seismic Premier League title assertion on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners did widen their buffer on the high of the top-flight standings.
Though Arteta’s males may need signed off the 2025/26 marketing campaign with no single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles as they have been pressured to accept one other silver medal end amongst England’s elite, Arsenal are rightfully put in as a landslide title contender this time round.
With their sights firmly set on getting their palms on a primary Premier League crown since method again in 2004, Sunday’s friends finish the weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack.
Embarking on an actual Champions League romp and accumulating one other heavyweight European scalp earlier within the week as they stormed their technique to an empathic 3-1 victory towards German giants Bayern Munich, Arsenal have continued to obtain a string of plaudits from throughout the continent.
Regardless of dropping Premier League factors for simply the second time for the reason that finish of September, Arteta ought to contemplate Sunday’s 1-1 attract west London as a degree properly earned.
Loads of positives for the Blues
Though Chelsea may need endured a stuttering begin to proceedings again in August, Enzo Maresca’s males have come roaring again in some type.
Laying down their very own iconic Champions League marked on Tuesday night time as they clinched a well-known 3-0 romp at house towards Barcelona, the previous Leicester boss actually finds the temper in his camp at a red-hot excessive.
Regardless of enjoying the entire of the second-half following Caicedo’s straight purple card within the Thirty eighth-minute, Chelsea confirmed an amazing quantity of resolve and brought about the Gunners a string of points on both aspect of the interval.
Backed by a vocal house assist at Stamford Bridge and handing Arsenal their hardest take a look at of the season to date, Maresca’s aspect will take an enormous quantity of positives from Sunday’s gutsy efficiency.
Now struggling only a single defeat from any of their earlier 12 consecutive appearances throughout all competitions – a run that stems again to September twenty seventh – Chelsea are actually extensively considered Arsenal’s principal title menace this season.
Man Metropolis the largest winner on Sunday
With the factors ultimately shared at Stamford Bridge following a fiery affair within the English capital, Sunday’s stalemate was actually the proper final result for an additional title dreamer.
Watching England worldwide Phil Foden steer Manchester Metropolis away from what would have been an notorious collapse towards relegation scrappers Leeds on Saturday afternoon, the Sky Blues will begin to really feel that they will recapture their Premier League crown this season.
Though Pep Guardiola’s males may need as soon as once more proven some indicators of inconsistency since coming back from November’s worldwide break, Metropolis are again within the hunt.
Understanding that stability is essential heading into a busy festive schedule, Guardiola’s former champions will probably be subsequent seen on Tuesday night time once they journey to Fulham.
Match Report
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Neto, Joao Pedro
Subs: Garnacho, Delap
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Gyokeres, Odegaard, Madueke, Lewis-Skelly
Targets: Chelsea: Chalobah (48’) – Arsenal: Merino (59’)
Yellow Playing cards: Chelsea: Cucurella – Arsenal: Zubimendi, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Gyokeres
Purple Playing cards: Caicedo (38’)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
