Arsenal held to 1-1 draw by 10-man Chelsea: Live updates and reaction from Premier League match – The New York Times

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Premier League leaders Arsenal have been held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
After a fiery start to the match that saw four bookings handed out in the opening half hour, Moises Caicedo was sent off for a bad tackle on Mikel Merino late in the first half.
Trevoh Chalobah improbably headed the hosts into the lead after the half-time break, scoring from a corner against the team usually so adept at set pieces. But the visitors responded 11 minutes later, Merino heading home Bukayo Saka's cross to level the match.
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, with Chelsea in third place one point back of City.
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GO FURTHER
Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1: What does this mean for title race? Was Caicedo red inevitable? Maresca positives?
Yes, it probably resulted in the sending off for Caicedo but Chelsea did enough to unsettle Arsenal in this match.
They were physical and pressed effectively enough to throw their rivals off their game in the first half.
And they fought resolutely in the second half to get in front and then preserve a point. It was hairy in places but they stood up to the test well.
Arsenal will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have taken full advantage of the sending off. Nevertheless, on a day when Arteta's team failed to produce their best, a draw is a decent outcome.
As Nancy said, it's worth remembering this is the third of three big games in the space of seven days. Overall, the picture remains very healthy for Arsenal.
This had the potential to be a make-or-break week for Arsenal, with three tough back-to-back games.
Two wins, against Tottenham and Bayern Munich, plus this draw against Chelsea is a very decent return indeed.
They are showing all the signs of a team capable of fighting for both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
As the teams shake hands, they will probably reflect on a well-earned point from a tight match.
The two managers, Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta, certainly could not have done much more.
They were both in and out of their technical area, straining as if kicking every ball in that last five minutes.
That’s it!
What a battle from start to finish and a testy affair between rivals. They share the points.
90+1’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Can either side find a winner in the remaining minutes of this match?
88’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
What a vital intervention from Sanchez to save from Rice.
Then Gyokeres slides in to try and convert as the ball dribbled out of Sanchez’s hands but makes heavy contact with the goalkeeper.
VAR takes a quick look but it’s just a yellow card for that one.
86’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
That was a decent effort!
Pedro Neto breaks and sends a curling shot looping towards the top corner — it flies over the frame of the goal but was not too far away.
84’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Enzo Fernandez appears to take any Chelsea player leaving Stamford Bridge personally.
He has clashed regularly with Mason Mount whenever Chelsea have played Manchester United since the England international left in 2023 and it now appears Noni Madueke is not on his Christmas card list either. He gave the winger a bit of verbal after winning the ball off him a few minutes ago.
78’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Timber gives away an unnecessary foul in a tackle on Garnacho for a free kick in a decent position for Chelsea.
Pedro Neto sends that in and eventually the ball drops to Delap, who draws a save from Raya.
Chelsea are still alive here.
72’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
A true sign that Mikel Arteta is going in search of a way to win this match.
Gyokeres comes on for Eze, with the Sweden international returning after an injury absence that had kept him out of the side since the start of the month.
67’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal have had the momentum since finding that equaliser but Chelsea still pose a threat — particularly on the break.
Garnacho raced free as Chelsea piled forward in numbers but the break did not quite come off.
Arsenal will need to be wary if they are to avoid conceding again.
61’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal equalise from their phenomenon of a false nine. Mikel Merino was not having the easiest match but was ruthless to nod in Saka's cross.
60’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Saka has not been as effective as he might like today and that is credit to Cucurella’s ability to suppress his attacking talents.
But the England international pulled out a special moment and cross to put the ball in a perfect spot for Merino there and he made no mistake.
59’ Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
That is a lovely cross and header combo from Saka and Merino and Arsenal are level!
58’ Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal
Noni Madueke does not get a great reception from the Chelsea fans as he makes his first appearance at Stamford Bridge since leaving for Arsenal in the summer. The substitute is booed on and is also greeted with chants of 'Chelsea reject'.
57’ Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal
This one gets some boos from the crowd.
Former Chelsea player Noni Madueke comes on for Martinelli, while Martin Odegaard replaces Zubimendi.
54’ Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal
The Chelsea striker comes on for Joao Pedro.
51’ Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal
Yet another match where Chelsea have taken the lead, now a streak of eight straight Premier League games in which they've done so — that is a nice habit forming for Maresca’s side.
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