Arsenal frustrated after failing to convert numerical advantage against Chelsea

Arsenal fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge but left with frustration after dropping points that could have widened the gap at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side arrived without William Saliba, who suffered an injury in training, leaving Arsenal short of their first-choice centre-backs and forcing a reshuffle that shaped much of the afternoon.

Chelsea started the derby with aggression and intensity and forced Arsenal into uncomfortable moments throughout a lively first half.

The match’s key moment came in the 38th minute when Moises Caicedo was shown a red card after VAR advised a review for a high challenge on Mikel Merino, turning the momentum sharply in Arsenal’s favour.

Arsenal expected to take control with the extra man, but Chelsea refused to retreat and continued to threaten through Reece James’ deliveries and quick transitions.

Trevoh Chalobah punished Arsenal’s lapse at a set piece shortly after the interval when he flicked a header beyond David Raya to give the hosts a surprise lead.

Arsenal responded with urgency and found their equaliser 11 minutes later when Bukayo Saka created space on the right and delivered a precise cross for Merino to head home at the far post.

Merino almost completed the turnaround late on with a low strike, only for Robert Sanchez to make a sharp save before denying Viktor Gyokeres on the rebound.

Chelsea still carved out chances on the break despite playing with 10 men, with Liam Delap and Pedro Neto threatening during a frantic closing stretch.

Arsenal pushed for the winner and controlled the ball for long spells, but their attacking play lacked the final pass needed to convert territory into clear chances.

The patched-up pairing of Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera coped better as the match progressed, although the defence struggled from corners and set pieces without Saliba and Gabriel.

Saka and Gabriel Martinelli forced Sanchez into important stops either side of half-time, but Arsenal struggled to build sustained pressure until after the equaliser.

Arteta introduced Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke to increase Arsenal’s attacking options, which shifted the match in their favour without producing the decisive goal.

Chelsea defended with resilience and threatened again late when Wesley Fofana forced Raya into another alert intervention.

Arsenal will view the point as useful but also as a missed opportunity given the red card, the quality of their response and the chance to put more distance between themselves and the chasing pack.

The draw moves Arsenal five points clear at the top, but dropped points in a match where they held numerical advantage will sting as the title race tightens.

The post Arsenal frustrated after failing to convert numerical advantage against Chelsea first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.