What Next After Chelsea – Arsenal Draw at the Bridge?

Stamford Bridge was treated to a blockbuster game in the Premier League, as Chelsea and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw.

As it stands, the Blues and Gunners are third and fourth in the Premier League table, respectively; however, they have a nine-point gap from leaders Liverpool.

And with City looking vulnerable without Rodri, we could have an open race for the Title.

2022/23 and 2023/24 were the first times Arsenal had been in back-to-back Title races since 200/01 and 2001/02.

On the other hand, Chelsea has won five league titles since Arsenal’s invincibles of 03/04.

Mikel Arteta’s side came an agonising two points from piping Manchester City for the Title last season.

However, they face an uphill battle to keep themselves in contention.

Enzo Maresca’s Blues have had a decent start to the season. However, back-to-back draws on Sunday and against Manchester United have stalled their progress despite the 8-0 demolition of Noah last Thursday.

Arsenal Unlucky Or Lack Ruthlessness?

The Gunners Boss praised his side’s performance, saying that they were unlucky not to win the game.

“They destroy every team that comes here in every way but I thought we were superb. We were very unlucky. We have dominated one of the best teams in Europe but we don’t get the results. That is what is missing.”
Arteta: BBC Sport

However, as Kai Havertz demonstrated, perhaps Arsenal will rue not buying an out and out goalscorer, as he failed to get on the end of a delicious cross from William Saliba, in the dying moments of the game.

Embed from Getty Images

Games like these, are crying out for a predator like Erling Haaland who is always switched on and ready to pounce on an opportunity to score.

Arsenal have goals in their team, however they are missing that ruthless striker in the box, and someone who can get them 20-30 goals a season.

You could also say the same about Nicholas Jackson at Chelsea, who is good at stretching the opponent’s defenders, but at times lacks the ruthlessness in front of goal.

Sanchez: A Liability For Chelsea

Despite the Blues getting amongst the goals this season, their Achilles hill has been keeping them out, and the Spaniard has a big part to play in this.

Just two clean sheets in eleven games is nowhere near good enough for a Chelsea goalkeeper, and you feel as if this may cost them a place in the top four.

Gabriel Martinelli’s goal was a perfect example of his lack of awareness as a keeper.

When you are one-on-one with an attacker near your post, it’s important that you make yourself big to cover all the angles.

He did not do this in both goals against United and Arsenal.

Maresca will probably not do this, but now is the time to take him out of the firing line and give Filip Jorgensen a run in the team, to get some reassurance at the back.

It may be early in the season, but this result could have a crucial impact on both teams’ seasons.