Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser saved a dramatic 2-2 draw for Arsenal at Chelsea on Saturday after the Gunners mounted an incredible comeback from being two goals behind.
After Chelsea took control thanks to goals from Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer in the second half, Mikel Arteta’s club was just 13 minutes away from suffering their first Premier League loss of the year.
However, Declan Rice’s goal gave Arsenal hope as Chelsea custodian Robert Sanchez mishandled a pass, and with six minutes left, Trossard scored the equaliser.
Arsenal’s valiant comeback extended their league-leading streak of games without a loss to nine, moving them into second place behind Manchester City on goal differential.
It was yet another example of the attitude and spirit that have been permeating Arsenal over the past 18 months and have been the foundation of their quest to win the club’s first championship since 2004.
After being on the verge of achieving the first significant statement victory of Mauricio Pochettino’s first season in command, it was a devastating setback for Chelsea.
The Blues won’t ever have a better opportunity to defeat their London rivals because they haven’t defeated Arsenal at home since 2018.
Chelsea had made a strong start in the pouring rain after a minute of silence was observed earlier on Saturday to honour the passing of former Manchester United and England player Bobby Charlton.
After blocking Mudryk’s header with an outstretched arm in the 15th minute, William Saliba gave the Blues the advantage.
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Chelsea’s penalty request first appeared to be dismissed, but after receiving a VAR recommendation to consult the pitchside monitor, referee Chris Kavanagh ultimately decided to grant it.
Palmer scored his second goal since joining from Manchester City earlier this season by coolly drilling the penalty kick past David Raya.
Rice spearheaded the Arsenal counterattack, firing an acute angle shot just wide of the far post.
With a low drive that fizzed wide from the edge of the area, Palmer came inches from scoring once more.
When the two were teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino advised Arteta not to pursue a coaching career, advice the Arsenal manager will be happy he disregarded.
The two, who this week referred to one another as “like brothers,” embraced warmly prior to kickoff, but there was little affection between their respective squads.
Marc Cucurella singled out Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka for a few savage challenges, and three players received cautions in a tense first half.
When Mudryk’s errant cross from the left flank slid over his head and into the far corner in the 48th minute, Raya gave Chelsea their second goal by failing to track its flight.
After Mudryk rejected Arsenal to sign with Chelsea last season, his fortunate strike was also a cruel turn of events for the Gunners.
In recent weeks, Raya has replaced Aaron Ramsdale as the starting custodian for Arsenal, despite at times appearing uncomfortable.
Raya’s self-assurance was damaged by his most recent error, and he nearly gifted Chelsea another goal with a careless throw that Palmer intercepted but couldn’t finish from 12 yards.
It was a key error because Sanchez paid it forward in the 77th minute with a terrible ball that Rice pounced on and gleefully lofted into the empty net from 25 yards out.
Chelsea suddenly appeared nervous, and Arteta’s team punished them in the 84th minute.
Trossard outran Malo Gusto to score from close range after Saka curled a cross to the far post.
Eddie Nketiah missed a fantastic opportunity to steal all three points while Arsenal was on a dramatic late run.
AFP
