Arsenal dropped further points in the 2024/25 Premier League title race on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals, Chelsea.
Pedro Neto’s goal was enough to cancel out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in the second half.
The Gunners have had a frustrating past few weeks, winning just one of their previous five games.
Gap to the top increases for the Gunners
The latest draw against the Blues puts them in fourth place in the League table, following Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle.
They have 19 points with Chelsea in third place (difference of two-goal difference), and Nottingham Forest and Brighton in fifth and sixth place respectively.
The draw leaves Arsenal nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool who have shown no signs of slowing down their pace.
Paul Merson mentioned in Sky Sports news that Arsenal’s title chances are ‘finished’ if the gap to Liverpool extends to 12 points while Jamie Redknapp says this has been the perfect weekend for the Reds in the title race.
Liverpool grabbed a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, while second-place Manchester City were beaten for a second consecutive EPL game (2-1) while away to Brighton.
Martinelli’s smart finish puts Arsenal ahead
The Gunners had to keep off a persisting Chelsea side in the first half and almost fell behind when Pedro Nero set up Malo Gusto for a pinpoint header which flew over the post.
Kai Harvertz thought he grabbed the opener for the Gunners at half the hour mark, but his slick finish was called off for offside.
Odegaard’s return to the starting line-up was massive for the visitors and they got rewarded when the Norwegian found Gabriel Martinelli with a beautiful overhead pass.
The Brazilian finished brilliantly by beating Robert Sanchez at his near post to put Arsenal in front at the hour mark.
Neto stunner shocks Arteta
Arsenal’s lead lasted for ten minutes, Pedro Neto showed his might from 30 yards out, pulling a wonderful strike that went through the Gunners’ defense and David Raya to seal the game at a draw.
Mikel Arteta expressed his frustrations after the game as he insisted that the visitors had yet to meet their standards.
But he still believes his side can have a successful season if they can get back to full strength over the upcoming international break.
“The disappointment of not getting three points is bigger [than being satisfied] and it will probably be bigger after watching it back,” Arteta said.
“I think we dominated them.
“We were the better team in many phases and situations in the game and after going ahead, we were very disappointed in the way we conceded.
“It was so poor, It is not our standards and we don’t accept it, the reaction of the team was unbelievable.”
Maresca elated after grabbing point against Arsenal
On the other hand, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hailed his team for their courage to pull a draw from the encounter.
“I enjoyed it, absolutely, the performance was good, we know them quite well and we competed pretty well.
“The performance is very important for us at this moment and it was good, we can rest now and go again.
“The performance by Pedro [Neto] was very good; all of them were complete.
“We played in the way we wanted to – brave – and tried to play from the back, always.
“It is the way we want to do things, we try to play face-to-face against every team.
“We are Chelsea, so it is important to send this message, there are managers that have been in clubs for five and nine years so we are behind them.”
There’s no doubt that the team’s performance has deteriorated in the past few games.
If there is still any chance of breaking their decades wait for a Premier League victory this season, they would need to do better than this and seek three points off every match till the end of the season.
Arteta concerned with growing injury woes in his camp
Mike Arteta is growing increasingly frustrated with significant fitness issues in his camp.
The Spanish coach is praying that his team avoids further fitness setbacks during this month’s international break following Sunday’s nail-biting game against Chelsea.
The Gunners have been without Jurriën Timber, Thomas Partey, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu among others at times this season due to fitness issues.
The injuries and player suspensions have derailed Arsenal’s brilliant start to the Premier League and UEFA Champions League this season.
Recently, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are the latest to take hits at the game with their London rivals.
Declan Rice who struggled with a toe injury last week in Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle was cleared to start the game against the Blues.
The former West Ham midfielder was subbed off the game 20 minutes to full-time with discomfort to his foot.
On the other hand, Bukayo Saka limped off the match nine minutes to time with an unspecified problem.
If the situation is confirmed bad for the Gunners duo, the team is set to hit a new toll of inconsistency in front of goal.
Saka and Rice doubts for England camp
Saka has been crucial for the Gunners at right-wing all season, contributing seven assists and four goals in fifteen appearances this season.
Declan Rice has just an assist for the Gunners and only missed Arsenal’s EPL game with Tottenham due to suspension.
The duo was named in Lee Carsley’s last England game squad against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, before newly employed Thomas Tuchel, leads the role.
The Three Lions have taken huge losses in player fitness in the past few weeks and this would be more disturbing news to the national team.
When Arteta was asked if the duo would be able to feature for England in the coming weeks at the post-game interview with Chelsea, he said: “It doesn’t look good, because for two players of that importance to tell you they cannot continue in the game, obviously it’s not good news.
[They are] two players that just came off, I don’t know whether to expect them to be fit because if [they are] they don’t come off.”
Arteta praying for injury-free international break
Martin Odegaard started his game for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway on August 31.
In the same pattern, Arsenal’s goal scorer at the Bridge Gabriel Martinelli suffered a calf strain while away with Brazil last month.
These injuries remain a cause of concern to coaches during international breaks and Arteta prays that the forthcoming breaks will be less harsh to his team.
“What I’m praying for is that after the international break, we have the team fully physically equipped.
“That they are available and that they are fit because it’s been a nightmare for eight weeks.
“Doubt after doubt, issue after issue, not only with the ones that are not able to play but with the ones who are able to play only for certain moments and not able to play.
“So I’m just asking that because of the desire the team has and how much we want it there’s no question. It’s going to come.
“We just need that on our side to be more consistent.”
Odegaard return brings hope to the Emirates
Martin Odegaard’s full recovery is a boost to Arsenal’s midfield, which has suffered increasing losses since the start of the season.
The Captain played full-time against the Blues and the club will speak to him about his plans to join Norway in the Nations League Rounds.
Arsenal don’t play again until hosting Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on November 23.
The club’s medical staff will access training routines and playtime to mitigate injuries going forward.
ARSENAL’S NEXT FIXTURES
Nottingham Forest (H), Premier League, Saturday 23rd November, 15:00
Sporting Lisbon (A), UEFA Champions League, Tuesday 26th November, 20:00
West Ham United (A), Premier League, Saturday 30th November, 17:30
Manchester United (H), Premier League, Wednesday 4th December, 20:15
Fulham (A), Premier League, Sunday 8th December, 14:00
Monaco (H), UEFA Champions League, Wednesday 11th December, 20:00
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January recruitment needed
The team may transverse a few games without exceptional midfielder Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
This great loss could have significant implications for their performances.
A possible remedy might be the necessity for the Gunners to go scouting for replacements in the January transfer window to solidify the team for upcoming challenges.
Stay tuned to witness how this could impact the squad and the dynamic on the field.
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