Five issues Mikel Arteta realized as Arsenal draw at Chelsea with Liverpool the winners
Arsenal and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in the final Premier League game before the November international break.
Kai Havertz thought he had opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half, only for VAR to chalk off his goal against his former side. In the second half, Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, getting onto the end of a wonderful Martin Odegaard pass to fire home past Robert Sanchez.
However, moments later, Chelsea grabbed an equaliser through Pedro Neto, who fired home from distance to beat David Raya in the Arsenal net.
Here are five things Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta learned from the clash against Chelsea…
Gabriel Martinelli finally produces
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For the majority of this season, Gabriel Martinelli has not performed to the levels he is expected to for the Gunners. In the first half against Chelsea, he should have opened the scoring, but had his shot saved by Robert Sanchez. However, in the second half, the Brazilian did manage to find the back of the net, this time taking his chance to open the scoring at Stamford Bridge.
Latching onto a wonderful ball in behind the Chelsea defence from Martin Odegaard, Martinelli managed to beat the Spaniard at his near post. The relief on the Brazilian’s face was clear to see and if Arsenal want to challenge for the Premier League for a third consecutive season, they will need Martinelli to continue to produce for them.
Martin Odegaard outlines importance to Arsenal
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It might be simplistic, but Arsenal are a vastly better side with Martin Odegaard than they are without him. The Arsenal skipper’s pass for Martinelli was perfect, with Odegaard lofting the ball over the Chelsea defence to find the Brazilian on the left-hand side.
The Norwegian has not started for Arsenal since their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion back in August, missing the last two months due to an ankle injury. However, after returning to action in midweek off the bench for the Gunners in Europe, Odegaard started against Chelsea – and reminded football fans just how important he is to the Gunners.
Kai Havertz left with egg on his face
Kai Havertz decided to shush Chelsea supporters after thinking he had opened the scoring for the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. It was a decision that left him with egg on his face. Because as soon as he had celebrated by shushing Chelsea’s fans, VAR intervened, ruling Havertz offside.
Queue mass cheers from the Chelsea supporters inside Stamford Bridge and embarrassment for Havertz, who will have been regretting his choice of celebration.
Arsenal need a striker – they must address it in January
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Much like our point about Odegaard above, this is a simplistic point, but still a valid one – Arsenal need a striker. They needed one in the summer, and they still need one now. The last time they scored more than two goals in a Premier League game was back in October against Southampton.
If they want to challenge for the Premier League this term, they must add some more firepower to their attack in January and failure to do so could cost them dearly.
Ground lost on Premier League title rivals
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The result against Chelsea saw Arsenal lose more ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool. While they didn’t lose ground on Manchester City, the Gunners remain behind the duo, as well as Brighton and Nottingham Forest. The clash against Chelsea was an opportunity for Arsenal to gain ground on City – instead, they now sit nine points behind Liverpool.
