Neto grabs point for Chelsea as Arsenal lose ground on Liverpool

Chelsea and Arsenal will both enter the international break in the top four of the Premier League, thanks to a 1-1 draw that satisfies neither side.

Gabriel Martinelli broke the deadlock for Arsenal against the run of play, after Kai Havertz had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, the Brazilian firing past Robert Sanchez after receiving a cross from the returning Martin Odegaard.

However, the lead lasted just 10 minutes before Pedro Neto’s stunner from outside the penalty area drew Chelsea level and neither side could find a decisive second goal to take all three points.

Leandro Trossard had the golden opportunity to score the winner with the last kick of the game but misfired at point-blank range, meaning the spoils were shared at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea remain ahead in the Premier League on goal difference.

Both sides are nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool and four behind Manchester City, though perhaps Mikel Arteta’s biggest concern will be the health of Bukayo Saka as the superstar hobbled off with 10 minutes remaining after a stern challenge from Marc Cucurella.

A game of few chances looked to have been broken open by Havertz on the half-hour mark just after Martinelli had missed a one-on-one, as a quickly taken free kick set the former Blue free in the penalty area and he finished well under pressure from Moises Caicedo.

However, Havertz was correctly ruled offside by VAR and an unusually misfiring Cole Palmer missed a string of opportunities in the dying embers of the half.

He was made to pay when Martinelli slipped through Chelsea’s offside trap in a similar manner to Havertz and made amends for his earlier miss against Sanchez, in a contest that looked like one goal could decide it.

Neto had other ideas, latching onto a pinpoint Enzo Fernandez pass then finishing through two defenders with a fizzing shot that David Raya could not reach, and Trossard’s late wastefulness ensured that would be enough for a point.

Talking point: Arteta injury boost fails to ignite Gunners

Arteta finally received some good news from his medical staff with Odegaard able to play in the Premier League for the first time since August following an ankle sprain, while Havertz and Declan Rice also overcame injury scares to feature – the latter possibly playing with a broken toe.

However, Odegaard failed to rekindle his devastating connection with Saka and Ben White on the right for Arsenal, and Chelsea enjoyed the better chances in both halves.

Martinelli did net The Gunners’ first away goal against top flight opposition since Gabriel at the Etihad Stadium in September, but Arsenal’s attack remained in a funk for long periods of the encounter meaning both sides have won just one Premier League game since the start of October.

Maresca may mourn two points missed as Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana both had aerial chances in the six-yard box and Palmer produced a fine save from Raya early on. But Chelsea’s talisman was as ineffective as Saka after the opening minutes despite being deemed fit to play following a controversial crunching Lisandro Martinez tackle time out in the league.

Player of the match: Pedro Neto

Responsible for arguably Chelsea’s three best chances at Stamford Bridge, Neto also drew plenty of groans from the home support as he thought better of several sorties down both flanks and frequently played the ball backwards allowing Arsenal to regroup.

However, that frustration was borne out of just how devastating the Portuguese winger was when he took on the back four.

White was uncomfortable all afternoon – playing the entire second half on a yellow card – as Neto was almost unstoppable when driving at the penalty area at speed with the ball at his feet and produced a string of fearsome deliveries that his team-mates could not convert.

Ultimately Neto opted to do it himself and the game was better for it, with his sensational finish earning a point for Chelsea.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Sanchez 6, Gusto 7, Fofana 7, Colwill 6, Cucurella 7, Caicedo 6, Lavia 6, Madueke 6, Palmer 6, Neto 8, Jackson 5.

Subs: Fernandez 7, Mudryk 7, James 6, Nkunku N/A.

Arsenal: Raya 6, White 5, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Timber 6, Odegaard 7, Partey 6, Rice 6, Saka 5, Havertz 7, Martinelli 7.

Subs: Trossard 6, Merino 6, Jesus 5.

Match highlights

32’ – GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 ARSENAL (HAVERTZ): Out of nowhere, Arsenal are ahead! It’s revenge for Kai Havertz as Arsenal take a quick free-kick slid through to the former Blue, who holds off Caicedo and fires under Sanchez to score! VAR are checking for offside though.

34’ – GOAL DISALLOWED: CHELSEA 0-0 ARSENAL: It’s a massive let-off for Chelsea as Havertz is judged offside by a matter of inches. The home fans take great joy in informing Havertz and the away section of the decision but it’s not all good news for Chelsea as Neto is booked for his protestations.

60’ – GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 ARSENAL (MARTINELLI): Arsenal are ahead! As with Havertz’s disallowed effort, Chelsea allow him to ghost into the box and collect the ball, he steadies himself and then blasts over Sanchez – easy as you like.

70’ – GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 ARSENAL (NETO) WHAT. A. STRIKE. It’s a first Premier League goal for Neto at Chelsea and in style too! Neto just surfed between the two Arsenal defensive lines and collected a perfectly-placed Enzo Fernandez pass, before unleashing a rocket into the bottom corner.

90+6’ – BEGGING FOR A GOAL! HOW HAVE THEY MISSED? Arteta falls to the turf as a cross flashes across goal with Trossard and Havertz queueing up to score the winner with the final touch of the game. But the Belgian misfires and takes the ball away from his teammate, that was a goal on a platter.

Key stats

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