Arsenal battles back from two goals down to frustrate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
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Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling battling for the ball || Credit: Imago

Arsenal battles back from two goals down to frustrate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Stephen Oladehinde 19:48 - 21.10.2023

In the London derby game, Arsenal's late surge secures a draw against their bitter rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners were looking confident going into the game after defeating league winners Man City last time out.

However, they could only salvage a 2-2 draw against the Blues and continue their Premier League unbeaten run.

Cole Palmers and Mudryk gave Chelsea the lead but Arsenal did not back down and scored two goals from Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

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As it happened

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino made two changes after back-to-back wins. Centre-back Axel Disasi drops to the bench after being an injury doubt, while striker Armando Broja is not fit enough to make the squad.

Right-back Malo Gusto and attacking midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk started, while Cole Palmer and Reece James returned to the bench.

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka returned for Arsenal. The England forward was missing in the win over Manchester City with a leg injury, which also ruled him out of the recent international fixtures.

Gabriel Martinelli also started after his match-winning return from the bench against City, with the pair lining up alongside Gabriel Jesus in a front three.

The game started and both teams were cautious of making errors, however, it was Arsenal that made the first error of the game.

A hand from Arsenal defender William Saliba in the penalty box was reviewed by the VAR, with the on-field referee pointing to the penalty spot after the review.

The young Chelsea forward strokes the ball into the bottom left corner, with David Raya diving in the opposite direction.

Cole Palmer score Chelsea's first goal || Credit: imago
Cole Palmer score Chelsea's first goal || Credit: imago

Since the penalty by Cole Palmers, Mikel Arteta’s men were quiet all through the remainder of the first half.

The second half started and Arsenal conceded the second goal as Chelsea extended their lead in the game.

Arsenal lost possession through Ben White high on the right, allowing Chelsea to make the most of the space left behind.

Mudryk pops up on the overlap, dunking the ball over the head of David Raya from the left wing.

Mudryk scores Chelsea's second goal || Credit: imago
Mudryk scores Chelsea's second goal || Credit: imago

The Gunners got a goal back in the 77th minute after a shocking clearance was made by the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez casually passes out from his six-yard box, missing his team-mate and only finding Declan Rice who hit the ball straight into the back of the net.

Declan Rice starts Arsenal's comeback scoring their first goal || Credit: Imago
Declan Rice starts Arsenal's comeback scoring their first goal || Credit: Imago

The game seemed like it was over but Arsenal shocked their London rivals with the equaliser from Trossard.

Blues right-back Malo Gusto switched off which allowed Leandro Trossard to sneak up on the outside and side-footed in Bukayo Saka's deep cross to the left.

Leandro Trossard's goal completes Arsenal's comeback against Chelsea || Credit: Imago
Leandro Trossard's goal completes Arsenal's comeback against Chelsea || Credit: Imago

The referee blew the final whistle of the game and Arsenal maintained their unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.