London: The drawn game at Chelsea, with a goal for each side in the second half, did little for Arsenal’s hopes for the Premier League title which has eluded them since 2003-04 when they ended the season undefeated with a team that was famously known as the ‘Invincibles’.
Arsenal, along with Chelsea are now nine points behind the leaders Liverpool and even though it’s early days in the season, Liverpool are steaming too far ahead of other contenders.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, said: “I’m disappointed with the result because we deserved more. And at the same time I’m very proud of the team for the way we played against this opponent in this stadium. They have battered everyone here and it wasn’t the case today.
“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 one’s who are able to play only for certain moments.”
He added: “So I’m just asking that, because the desire the team has and how much we want it there’s no question. It’s going to come. We just need on our side to be more consistent.
“After scoring the first goal I’m very disappointed with how we conceded their goal. That’s nowhere near the standards of our defensive habits. The moment you give space and time to any of their players with the quality that they have you’re going to get punished, so that’s not bad luck.”
The goalless first half was finely balanced but there were missed chances by both sides. For Chelsea Noni Madueke headed wide from a cross by Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto wasted a better chance when he headed over from a beautiful curling cross from Pedro Neto.
Arsenal thought they had scored in the 32nd minute when, from a quickly taken free kick by Declan Rice, Kai Havertz slotted in a shot but it was ruled off-side.
Arsenal took the lead on the hour when an excellent cross from Martin Odegaard, having received a pass from Thomas Partey, found the unmarked Gabriel Martinelli who controlled the ball well before slamming in a shot inside the near post from a tight angle.
But Arsenal’s joy was short lived as within ten minutes Chelsea drew level. Enzo Fernandez had come on as substitute and he located Neto who from 22 yards drove in a low, left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The most glaring miss of all came in the last second from what would have been the last kick of the match and would have brought Arsenal’s winner. William Saliba’s cross from the left went across the six-yard box right in front of the goal and Leandro Trossard, at full stretch, could only reach to put the ball further across instead of tapping it in.
Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, said: “Very soon we are going to win these type of games. We at least 100 per cent deserved a point.”
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