Pedro Neto scores as Chelsea hold Arsenal to 1-1 draw

The Blues are now third in the Premier League table.

Following Gabriel Martinelli’s initial goal, Pedro Neto equalized for Chelsea which happened to be his first Premier League goal for the club as well. After Martinelli had put the Gunners ahead from close range, the Portuguese attempted to score from outside the area.

Earlier, former Blues player Kai Havertz had a goal rightfully disallowed for offside, while Chelsea defender Malo Gusto had missed a chance from within a yard.

The Gunners have fallen further behind Manchester City and Liverpool. It comes as a result of losses to Bournemouth and Newcastle, and now this 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the London derby. Due to City’s personal difficulties over the last two weeks, Mikel Arteta’s team were able to regain their position in the race.

However, there wasn’t much to choose between the two teams in the first half of the match at Stamford Bridge as it was mainly scrappy. On the hour mark, Gabriel Martinelli scored the first goal with a spectacular finish at the near post.

However, Neto’s incredible long-range goal into the bottom corner ended any dreams of reducing Liverpool’s lead at the top of the league.

Arsenal were ten points behind leaders Liverpool going into Sunday’s match. Gabriel Martinelli’s vital goal on the hour mark appeared to have reduced that deficit to a more manageable seven.

However, manager Mikel Arteta will be annoyed to see his team struggle once more after the Gunners had lost two straight games prior to this game in all competitions. They gave Pedro Neto too much room and time, and the Chelsea forward deservedly equalized by hammering a shot into the bottom corner.

Even if Manchester City are also having trouble, Arteta will be left wondering why the Gunners are suddenly nine points behind Liverpool. In the current title competition, Arsenal seem to have regressed significantly.

Despite both teams’ best efforts, neither were able to score a second goal. As a result, leaders Liverpool lead both clubs by nine points going into the final international break (November) of 2024.

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