Pedro Neto’s second-half equaliser forced a share of the spoils between Chelsea and Arsenal in a pulsating London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring on the hour mark after picking up the ball at the near post and tucking a neat finish beyond goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
But the Blues fought back just 10 minutes later, Neto gliding forward to the edge of the penalty area before lashing into the bottom corner with aplomb.
Both sides pushed for a last-gasp winner but were ultimately made to settle for a draw, leaving them four points behind second-placed Manchester City.
Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL was on hand to see who shone and who shrunk…
Pedro Neto’s equaliser saw Chelsea come from behind to clinch a point against Arsenal
Neto rifled into the bottom corner on 70 minutes to peg the Gunners back at Stamford Bridge
Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring after beating Robert Sanchez at his near post
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – Important instinctive save to deny Martinelli’s golden opportunity in the first-half – but was beaten at his near post for the Arsenal forward’s eventual goal. 6.5
Malo Gusto – Squandered an excellent headed opportunity in the first-half much to his frustration. Good contest with Martinelli down Chelsea’s right. 6.5
Wesley Fofana – Great to see the France defender back fit after two years of injury hell. Another strong performance in the heart of Chelsea’s defence. 7
Levi Colwill – His ability to carry the ball forward and find penetrating forward passes was an important aspect of Chelsea’s display but he played Arsenal onside for their opener. 6
Marc Cucurella – Knew he’d have a tough day ahead of him in dealing with Saka but coped with the challenge very well. Solid rather than spectacular – but very important. 7.5
Romeo Lavia – Kept the ball ticking over nicely in central midfield before being replaced in the second half after receiving treatment for an injury. 6.5
Malo Gusto squandered a superb headed opportunity after nodding over the crossbar
Marc Cucurella got the better of Bukayo Saka in a solid rather than spectacular performance
Moises Caicedo – Bundles of work-rate and intent in Chelsea’s midfield. Went to toe-to-toe with Rice in a congested engine room. 7
Pedro Neto – Always a threat down the flanks and his goal was full of quality. The Portuguese winger is proving an excellent signing for Chelsea. 8
Cole Palmer – An injury doubt from the start, so his inclusion lifted the home side from the outset. Oozes quality in possession but flitted in and out of the game. 6.5
Noni Madueke – Clearly frustrated at being substituted as he headed straight back down the tunnel instead of taking a seat on the bench. Has had better afternoons. 6
Nicolas Jackson – Grew into the game following a quiet start, but Saliba and Magalhaes kept a grip on him. Had the ball in the net in the second half but knew he was miles offside. 6
Subs: Fernandes 6.5 for (Lavia 68); Mudryk 6 for (Madueke 68); James (Gusto 82)
Not used: Jorgensen, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Felix, Veiga
Enzo Maresca: His team controlled long periods of the game against a side expected to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. More positive signs. 7
Cole Palmer’s inclusion lifted the home side and he once again oozed quality in possession
Nicolas Jackson grew into the game after a quiet start and scored, although he was offside
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya – Produced an excellent early save to deny Palmer early in the game but could no nothing about Neto’s powerful equaliser. 6.5
Ben White – Was given a tough afternoon by Neto but kept to his game and can be satisfied with his showing at Stamford Bridge. 6.5
William Saliba – Rarely flustered, but the France defender needed eyes on the back of his head to keep a grip on Chelsea forwards’ impressive movements. 6.5
Gabriel Magalhaes – Showed huge frustration as Neto fired home Chelsea’s leveller. The Brazilian loves keeping clean sheets. Another strong display. 6.5
Jurrien Timber – Showed a nice balance to his game. Thrust forward to show intention in attack but with a prudent knowledge of when to sit in. 7
Declan Rice – Played through the pain barrier with a broken toe and didn’t let his team down. Was subbed off in the second half to raise question marks of his England involvement this week. 6.5
Declan Rice played through the pain barrier with a broken toe but didn’t let his team down
Saka limped off in the closing stages of the game in a potential injury concern for England
Arsenal looked far better with Martin Odegaard in the side and he teed up Martinelli’s goal
Thomas Partey – Crucial for Arsenal in a midfield area that was congested. Added control for the Gunners and was economical in possession. 7
Martin Odegaard – Back in the starting XI after an ankle injury and the Gunners looked far better for it. Made the goal for Martinelli and will be better for the minutes under his belt. 7
Bukayo Saka – A compelling battle against Cucurella that the Spaniard just about won. Limped off in the closing stages, which will be a worry for England. 6
Kai Havertz – Thought he’d opened the scoring against his former club but was ruled marginally offside by VAR. Ended the game with a bandage across his head. 6
Gabriel Martinelli – Played a crucial role in preventing Gusto from opening the scoring before firing Arsenal ahead. His all-round game was below-par but he made a telling contribution. 7
Martinelli played a crucial role in preventing Gusto from scoring before netting himself
Kai Havertz missed a chance in the final seconds and ended the match with a bandaged head
Subs: Trossard (Martinelli 72); Merino (Rice 72); Nkunku (Jackson 88)
Not used: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri
Mikel Arteta: In isolation it’s a good point. But it’s now four Premier League games without a victory for Arsenal. That’s not title winning form. 6.5
Referee – Michael Oliver: Was the subject of ridicule again from irate Arsenal fans but he kept a lid on this game pretty well. 6
