Arsenal disappointed

Arsenal retained their top spot but missed a golden opportunity to tighten the title race after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Arsenal dropped points against 10-man Chelsea.

Playing with one more man for nearly an hour, Mikel Arteta's team could not deliver the finishing blow, which a true contender should do when the opportunity opens up.

Arsenal lost their spirit in London

Arsenal left Stamford Bridge with a point and a greater sense of disappointment than satisfaction. They were still top of the table, still in control, but they had missed out on a moment that could have turned the season around.

A win at Chelsea, with their opponents down a man early in the second half, would have sent a strong message: Arsenal have matured and are ready to end their 22-year Premier League title drought. Instead, they have been inconsistent, disjointed and lacking in energy.

The key was Arsenal's approach when Moises Caicedo was shown a red card for a rough tackle on Mikel Merino. They had nearly 52 minutes ahead of them with a clear advantage.

But instead of pushing the tempo, destroying Chelsea’s structure and suffocating their opponents, Arsenal looked sluggish and uninspired. Chelsea, down to 10 men, still had more shots and constantly created situations that made the visitors’ defense sweat.

Arsenal caused a big disappointment.

Reece James was the epitome of that determination. Rotated well before the game, he was the best player on the pitch. James dominated Declan Rice at times and kept Chelsea in control despite his team being behind.

Bukayo Saka, on the other hand, who could have turned the game around, was not sharp enough to exploit Marc Cucurella’s early yellow card. A fitter, more confident Saka would have put the Chelsea defender on the back foot and forced the manager to make a risky decision.

Arsenal are not only struggling with rhythm, they are also facing the consequences of a heavy matchweek. Eberechi Eze played 171 minutes in both Tottenham and Bayern games, both of which could have ended sooner with quick substitutions. And then against Chelsea, he looked as if his legs were too weak to make a breakthrough.

William Saliba’s absence due to pain in training further exposed Arteta’s rotation problem. Without Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal’s defensive structure immediately lost its familiar smoothness.

Lessons for Arsenal

Arteta has rarely been wrong in his handling of the team this season, but the game at Stamford Bridge was a lesson in the rigours of the long-distance race. Small details of fitness, alertness or rhythm can sometimes decide the outcome of 90 minutes. He admitted it after the game, with a tinge of regret: Arsenal were good enough, but not sharp enough.

Arsenal missed the chance to break away from the Premier League table after drawing with Chelsea.

Even with a depleted squad, Arsenal were still the stronger team and had the chance to stifle the title race. Chelsea were without Cole Palmer, while young talent Estevão Willian had a lacklustre first half and was taken off shortly afterwards. That made Arsenal’s inability to impose their power all the more puzzling. The goal from a set piece pushed them into a chasing position and they lost the composure required of the strong.

Manchester City, who always benefit when their opponents stumble, immediately took advantage. Phil Foden's late goal helped them close the gap and rekindle hope. Arteta knows that giving Pep Guardiola even a small opening is dangerous. Chelsea will also feel more confident. Because when they can hold the leaders to a draw despite playing with one less man, they know they can compete for the long term.

Arsenal are still the favourites. They still play convincing football and have a strong core. But to lift the trophy in May, they need to become a team that takes advantage of golden moments. Stamford Bridge gave them that chance, and they didn’t take it.

That’s why this draw is more than a dropped point. It’s a reminder that titles don’t go to the best team, they go to the most ruthless. And Arsenal have yet to show they’ve reached that threshold.

Two goals in the Chelsea - Arsenal match. Early morning of December 1, Chelsea and Arsenal drew 1-1 in a dramatic match in round 13 of the Premier League 2025/26.

Source: https://znews.vn/arsenal-gay-hut-hang-post1607358.html