The Premier League heads to the November international break with an impossibly tight top of the table after Chelsea and Arsenal played to a thrilling 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
WATCH CHELSEA v ARSENAL FULL MATCH REPLAY LIVE
After 60 minutes of a back-and-forth stalemate was finally broken by Martin Odegaard’s fantastic assist to Gabriel Martinelli, Pedro Neto struck an equalizer 10 minutes with plenty of scoring chances before and after. Odegaard made his full return from an ankle injury he picked up on international duty in September.
[ MORE: Three things we learned from Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal ]
As this stand, Chelsea and Arsenal sit 3rd and 4th, respectively, level on 19 points — the same as Nottingham Forest and Brighton — just one above three more teams hot on their heels (Fulham, Newcastle and Aston Villa). We repeat: One point currently separates Chelsea in 3rd, from Aston Villa in 9th. Liverpool (28 points) lead four-time defending champions Manchester City by five points.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea improving at a rapid rate
Given the amount of upheaval that has occurred at Chelsea over the last couple years, it has been quite incredible to see all of the pieces come together so quickly. Maresca is only 11 games into his tenure, and already Chelsea have a clearly defined identity and style of play. As well as Mauricio Pochettino finished last season, it never felt like that under his leadership. Even with Cole Palmer nowhere near his best against Arsenal, Chelsea matched the Gunners chance for chance and showed how far they have come in such a short time. With Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia anchoring the team in midfield, the Blues are dogged defensively and look to transition as quickly as possible when they win the ball back. Arsenal did a fair job of denying those transition moments, but it came at the expense of pushing numbers forward to aid the attack.
Martin Odegaard earns rave reviews from Mikel Arteta
Player ratings - Chelsea vs Arsenal
Full list of Chelsea vs Arsenal player ratings
Man of the match: Pedro Neto: 8/10 — Left-footed strikes from outside the box isn’t what got Neto to Chelsea, but he has proven a far more complete player now than when he was at Wolves.
What’s next?
First, the November international break, followed by…
- Leicester vs Chelsea - Nov. 23
- Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest - Nov. 23
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Chelsea vs Arsenal kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday (November 10)
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Chelsea vs Arsenal score: 1-1
Martinelli 60', Neto 70'
Chelsea vs Arsenal live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Stamford Bridge
Nicolas Jackson scores but the offside flag goes up
Both sides are throwing caution to the wind and going for the win, and Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net again as Nicolas Jackson thought he had beaten the offside trap before rolling the ball under David Raya.
Pedro Neto fires home from outside the box - Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal (70')
From very little threat to the ball in the back of the net in an instant, Neto found a half-yard of space and rifled one into the bottom corner.
Arsenal flowing now
That goal has given Arsenal real confidence. Timber surges forward but his shot from outside the box is just wide. Chelsea deflated after that goal. The home fans are growing frustrated.
Martinelli slots home Odegaard’s amazing cross - Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (60')
Gabriel Martinelli puts Arsenal ahead! Odegaard’s great cross to the back post finds Martinelli and he has so much time before slotting calmly past Sanchez. Poor defending from Chelsea. Excellent composure from Martinelli.
Referee is under pressure
A series of fouls in the far corner for Arsenal has both the home and away fans upset. “Michael Oliver, it’s all about you!” sing the Arsenal fans after he booked Havertz for not leaving the pitch although he needed a cut patched up to his head. That was harsh from Oliver.
First chance of the second half
Madeuke’s cross is met by Fofana, who lofts the ball onto the top of the net. Great acrobatic effort. Chelsea have started the second half well.
Half time: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Really fun first half. Both teams have gone for it. Havertz had a goal ruled out by VAR for being just offside. Gusto somehow headed over from close range. Martinelli also had a big chance for Arsenal. Very even. Very frantic. Very Chelsea vs Arsenal.
🔥 Really enjoyed that Chelsea vs Arsenal first half! Both teams going for it. Great individual battles. Set up perfectly for the second half.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 10, 2024
WATCH live + analysis, videos, reaction & more ➡️ https://t.co/oHai3rJ47V
Half time thoughts Stamford Bridge ⤵️ #CFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/sbsPSqtbEo
VAR rules out Havertz
Oh wow. Rice takes a free kick very quickly and Havertz is in and pokes the ball home. Arsenal celebrate wildly in front of the Chelsea fans but VAR is checking it. Oh, he’s offside. Just. Havertz’s left leg is offside and the goal is ruled out. Much to the delight of the home fans. Arsenal are the better team right now as we approach half time. How will they respond to the deflation of that goal being ruled out?
Arsenal should be 1-0 up now!
It is all happening now. Big chance for Martinelli! Saka’s shot is blocked but falls straight to Martinelli. His finish is tame. Big chance wasted by Arsenal.
It should be 1-0 to Chelsea!
Chelsea should be ahead. Neto twists and turns and clips in a perfect cross to the back post but Gusto heads over from close range. Great wing play from Neto. Gusto is down getting treatment. Martinelli did just enough to put him off.
Colwill booked for lunging tackle on Saka
This is getting really intense now. Some great battles developing all over the pitch. Colwill has lunged in on Saka and been correctly booked. He did get the ball but he lunged in recklessly. Moments later Saka leaves Caicedo on the deck after they collide. Tasty.
Even start to the game
Cole Palmer has a pop from distance which David Raya tips over. Arsenal have nicked the ball back in a few good positions in midfield but it has come to nothing. All very tense and tight so far.
👋 Hello and welcome to Stamford Bridge! HUGE London derby.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 10, 2024
WATCH live + videos, analysis & more here ➡️ https://t.co/oHai3rIwin
My thoughts and 3 things I want to see from Chelsea and Arsenal today ⤵️ #CFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/j2nrCOWCKD
Great atmosphere building here
There is a real sense of anything could happen here today. Both teams know how big a game this is. Arsenal will be more solid but it’s up to Chelsea to come out and have a go. How fit are Palmer and Odegaard? That will be key to the hopes of both teams.
Rice, Odegaard, Palmer all start
Welcome to west London! The rain is drizzling slightly and this is a perfect autumn day for a big London derby. The team news is in and all of Rice, Odegaard and Palmer start after their injury issues. That is great news for this game but also for Arsenal. Their strongest possible lineup is back out there again and that is a massive boost for Mikel Arteta. Having Palmer fit for Chelsea is obviously huge, and Reece James is dropped with Gusto starting at right back and Cucurella coming in at left back to try and shut down Saka.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Madeuke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Chelsea team news, focus
All eyes will be on Cole Palmer and whether or not he’s fit enough to start against Arsenal. He suffered a knee injury after the bruising draw at Man United where he was hacked down by Lisandro Martinez. Chelsea have a very settled defense and midfield, with Lavia and Caciedo likely to start in midfield. The main question is whether Cucurella will start at left back to try and shut down Saka, or will one of James or Gusto start there with the other at right back? This feels like a game where Cucurella will come in.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Cole Palmer (knee), Jadon Sancho (illness)
Arsenal team news, focus
Declan Rice is Arsenal’s main injury concern with the England international missing the trip to Inter Milan due to an ankle problem. If he’s missing, expect Partey, Merino and Havertz to start in midfield. The latter took a nasty whack to the head late on against Inter but should be good to go. Odegaard will probably only be fit to play 30 minutes, at most, but his return will be crucial to Arsenal getting their season back on track. Even though they’ve been on a poor run, they’re just seven points off leaders Liverpool at this early stage, and Arsenal did play so much better at Inter on Wednesday. The only reason they lost was due to a controversial penalty kick decision. Can they regain their clinical edge?
OUT: Raheem Sterling (loan - unable to face parent club), Riccardo Calafiori (knock), Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Declan Rice (ankle), Kai Havertz (head), Mikel Merino (illness)
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
This feels like the day when Arsenal remind everyone just how good they are. Chelsea give up big chances on the counter and haven’t been punished for that recently. Arsenal seem ready to get back on track. Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal.
Chelsea vs Arsenal preview
Enzo Maresca has had a great start to life in charge of Chelsea, changing their playing style quite effortlessly and their young side look dangerous, settled and are enjoying the freedom they’re getting on the ball. They were a little disappointed to draw 1-1 at Manchester United last weekend and the main area where they need to improve is in defense. In midfield and attack they look settled and dangerous as balance has arrived. The next step for this young Chelsea side is to bag a marquee win against one of the Premier League big boys. The Blues are sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer for this clash.
MORE — Predicted lineups, tactics for Chelsea vs Arsenal
Arsenal are really struggling, especially going forward. They lost 1-0 at Newcastle last weekend and by the same scoreline at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday as Mikel Arteta’s side have been suffering similar failures. They just can’t find that crucial final pass or finish in the final third and look jaded due to recent injuries. The return of captain Martin Odegaard from injury will help with their creativity but he probably isn’t fit enough to start at Chelsea. With three defeats from their last six in all competitions (as many defeats as in their previous 32 games in all comps), plus Edu leaving as sporting director, Arsenal are in a pivotal stage of their season to try and get things back on track. Their main injury concern ahead of this one is Declan Rice.
