Chelsea v Arsenal LIVE: Result and final score after Pedro Neto levels with stunner in feisty London derby
Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was cancelled out by Pedro Neto as Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard wasted a golden chance with the last kick of the game
Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Gabriel Martinelli put the visitors in front in the 60th minute, turning in a neatly lifted ball from captain Martin Odegaard, whose influence on his return from injury proved crucial after the Gunners’ failure to score in their last two games.
Chelsea equalised 10 minutes later when substitute Enzo Fernandez pushed the ball to the ever-lively Pedro Neto just outside the Arsenal area and the Portuguese stepped to one side and shot low to David Raya’s left.
The result lifted Chelsea to third and Arsenal to fourth in the table, both on 19 points.
Chelsea v Arsenal – team news
Confirmed line-ups are moments away...
‘Not winning affects the mood’
Mikel Arteta was honest in his assessment of Arsenal’s downturn in form and says that not winning games is starting to affect the mood of his squad.
The Arsenal boss said: “When you don’t win it affects the mood and energy but the positive thing is that it is impossible that anyone in this room or outside wants to win more than I do, and these guys in the dressing room want to do.
“I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight away.”
Arteta provides Arsenal injury updates
“Everyone in the squad is going to be fit and available to start the game,” Arteta said ahead of today’s clash with Chelsea. “Then it will be a decision whether it’s too early or the right moment to make that step again.
“We have to wait until tomorrow to see how [Havertz and Merino] react. Kai was a nasty cut and we had to take him off. Mikel, since the day before, wasn’t feeling great and we decided to sub him at half-time.”
Arteta on Rice’s fitness
“I have to be vague on that one because there is no clarity if he is going to be fit or not for the weekend,” Mikel Arteta said when asked whether Declan Rice would be fit enough to feature against Chelsea.
He added: “He hasn’t trained yet and it is not clear whether he is going to be available or not to play.”
Declan Rice injury latest as ‘vague’ update adds to Arsenal concerns
Declan Rice remains a major doubt for Arsenal ahead of the trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta only able to offer a “vague” update on the midfielder’s foot injury.
Rice missed Arsenal’s defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday after sustaining the injury against Newcastle last weekend - with some reports suggesting the England international has a broken toe.
Declan Rice injury latest as ‘vague’ update adds to Arsenal concerns
Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are also set to be assessed following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan
Can Chelsea score against Arsenal?
Arsenal have scored the last seven goals in this fixture. This match could be a good one for the Gunners to turn around their declining form or it could be an indicator that Chelsea are now performing better than their rivals.
It will all depend on which team proves successful this afternoon.
Head to head
Chelsea’s only win in the last 10 meetings in all competitions was a 2-0 triumph in the Premier League at the Emirates in August 2021.
They’ve drawn two and lost seven during that run. The Blues have failed to win any of their last five home games against the Gunners with two draws and three defeats.
Cole Palmer injury update
Cole Palmer could play for Chelsea against Arsenal this weekend, Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The England international was caught by a heavy challenge from Lisandro Martinez in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Sunday and missed training at the start of this week.
“He’s getting better,” said Blues boss Enzo Maresca. “(Just because) he can walk and have dinner it doesn’t mean he is completely fit but we still have two days to prepare the game.
“Hopefully we can have him for the session at least Saturday and then we’ll take a decision.”
Chelsea sweep past Armenian minnows Noah with merciless eight-goal display
Chelsea swept past Armenian side Noah as Enzo Maresca’s second string turned in a merciless attacking display to win 8-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Europa Conference League had been a testing ground for the head coach to ply his enviable strength in depth and, having hit four in each of their first two matches, his stand-ins raised the bar to blow the visiting team away with six goals scored in the first half demonstrating a chasmic gulf in class.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu celebrated first Chelsea goals since joining, Joao Felix grabbed the opportunity to impress with two more, while there were goals too for Axel Disasi and, most impressively, Mykhailo Mudryk whose curler from outside the box was the pick of them.
Chelsea sweep past Armenian minnows Noah with merciless eight-goal display
Enzo Maresca’s stand-ins raised the bar to blow the visiting team away
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