Arsenal Draw Chelsea 1-1 as Arteta Says They Should Have Won

Arsenal's week tested their depth as they faced three heavy-hitting fixtures in quick succession. They collected two wins and a draw, but the manager insists they should have claimed the win at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: week of tests and key moments

The trip to Chelsea came after a demanding spell with little recovery time. Chelsea took the lead from a corner when Trevoh Chalobah headed in. Arsenal levelled through a header from Mikel Merino, leaving the Gunners five points clear at the summit.

Arsenal also faced a moment of numerical disadvantage when Moises Caicedo was sent off, forcing Arteta to reshuffle and defend with a makeshift backline for much of the match.

In the build-up, Saliba was ruled out with a knock sustained in training. Odegaard remained unavailable, as did Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, with Leandro Trossard also missing midweek actions. Yet the squad rallied to produce a credible performance.

Odegaard and Gyokeres did appear as substitutes in the second half, offering fresh impetus as Arsenal chased a winner.

Arteta said the week posed a real challenge but stressed the team showed character and growth. He admitted that with better execution they could have clinched the win.

Injury impact and defensive reshuffle

The Chelsea game marked only the second Premier League match since August 2021 in which Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba were not in the Arsenal lineup. With neither of the regular central defenders on the field, Arsenal's usual set-piece threat and defensive solidity were not as potent.

Chelsea's goal came from a corner, a reminder that the backline must quickly adapt to new partners. Arteta handed central roles to Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie for the first time in the league, a move the manager framed as a learning opportunity and a testament to the squad's readiness to contribute.

The manager warned that Gabriel's return would still be weeks away, so the group must continue to cooperate and improve under pressure.

Expert reaction

Analyst view: Analysts praised Arsenal's resilience amid disruption but noted that the team still needs to sharpen finishing and defensive organization, especially during set pieces. The new central pairing will require time to gel under high-stakes matches.

Summary

Arsenal navigated a strenuous week with four points from three games and maintained their league lead. The draw at Chelsea exposed gaps in defence and set-pieces, but the performance showed depth and adaptability. With Gabriel and Saliba sidelined, Arteta will rely on his temporary backline while continuing to push for consistency.

Key insight: A demanding run tested Arsenal's depth, and the team showed they can adapt, but the title push will hinge on returning players and improved set-piece defence. BBC article