2023-10-21 18:44:00
This Saturday at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea (11th) hosted an Arsenal team (2nd) still undefeated in the Premier League following 8 days. The Gunners seemed to be heading towards their first defeat of the season, trailing 2-0 and without a solution in the game. But a missed recovery from Robert Sanchez allowed Mikel Arteta’s players to believe it, and even to return to 2- 2 at the end of the match. The Blues still showed some very good things, especially defensively, but came out of this meeting unhappy. The Gunners will have to do better in the game in Seville this Wednesday. Chelsea temporarily returns to 9th place in the Premier League while Arsenal leaves first position to Manchester City on goal difference.
The Chelsea players decided to show a lot of intensity from the kick-off, with an opportunity for Enzo Fernandez in the first minute. Aggressive in their contacts, the locals marked the start of the meeting with their physical imprint. Two yellow cards for Cole Palmer then Oleksandr Zinchenko directly set the tone for this match. The 4-4-2 defense also prevented Mikel Arteta’s formation from developing its game, with its midfielders being completely harmless with the ball. On a cross coming from the right, William Saliba blocked Mudryk’s header with his arm and conceded a penalty in the 14th minute. Raheem Sterling and Palmer competed for the ball but it was the youngest who took the penalty and gave his team the advantage. Unusually feverish, the Gunners defense did not reassure.
Sanchez revives Arsenal
On the contrary, the Blues rearguard appeared particularly serene and solid, preventing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli from making any differences on their respective sides. As soon as they returned from the locker room, Chelsea widened the gap on a cross that became a shot from Mykhaylo Mudryk, who lobbed and punished David Raya, advancing too far from his line (48th). This happy goal, Mudryk’s second this season, on the other hand, lifted the Gunners, who created two chances in quick succession through Gabriel Martinelli then Gabriel from a corner. This London derby also highlighted the two goalkeepers, or rather their mistakes. In the 57th minute, David Raya took too many risks on the restart and fortunately for him, Cole Palmer then lost his face-to-face.
While the match seemed to be over, it was the other goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who stood out in his own way. The Blues goalkeeper’s throw landed at the feet of Declan Rice, who did not hesitate for a single second before hitting the empty goal (78th). Arsenal’s hopes were then revived and it was the new arrival Leandro Trossard who confirmed this turnaround. On a sublime cross, Bukayo Saka found the Belgian striker, who just had to put the ball in the back of the net (84th). The final minutes were technically complicated on both sides, with minds shattered by this crazy scenario.
Victory is not over for Mikel Arteta’s men, who will have to show a better face in a few days on the field of Seville in the Champions League. Even if they did well by snatching a point, the Gunners left provisional first place to City, pending the Tottenham match. The Blues were satisfactory, we feel that Mauricio Pochettino is starting to master his group well.
1697915495
#Premier #League #9th #day #Trailing #Arsenal #snatches #draw #Chelseas #pitch