Arsenal managed to snap one point at Stamford Bridge and to ruin Chelsea’s plans to secure a second win of the season in the London Derby. The final result of this match was 2-2, with guests equalizing the score three minutes before the end.
Yet that wasn’t the main thing here, but the way the Gunners managed to achieve that. They had a player fewer on the field for more than an hour and sent just two shots towards Chelsea’s net. And both went in.
Hector Bellerin, Arsenal’s captain, leveled the score in the 87th minute, 180 seconds after Cesar Azpilicueta brought the lead to the home team for the second time in this match.
It was a beautiful strike that ended behind Kepa for a massive joy of the Gunners’ fans at Stamford. And shortly before that, they were desperate when Azpilicueta found a way to beat Leno.
“Everything is due to teamwork. It was a really hard game with 10 men and losing a very important player for us,” Bellerin stated, not hiding his happiness because of the way this game ended. “We turned it around. We were 1-0 down at half-time and saw it as an opportunity to get back into the game.”
Chelsea took the lead, making two hits in one. Tammy Abraham got the ball in the box, stormed towards the goal, but was brought down by David Luiz. The former Chelsea captain who switched jerseys this summer was immediately sent off, and Arsenal stayed with ten players on the pitch.
To make it even worse, Jorginho scored from the penalty to give the advantage to the hosts. The Blues kept on attacking but were very bad with finishing. Lampard’s side had 19 shots today and scored twice. It is obvious that they have a scoring crisis and that something needs to be done very quickly to improve that aspect of the game.
Gabriel Martinelli netted an equalizer in the 63rd minute, after a nice individual effort, and reached his 10th goal of the season. Gunners’ teenager is currently one of the most talented prospects in the world, and he justifies that continually.
Chelsea continued to pressure, trying to find a way to regain the lead and take those three very important points. And finally, once they did that through Azpilicueta, the Blues once again ruined everything in the closing moments of the contest. After allowing a last-second dagger in Newcastle on Saturday, this is another big frustration for all the ones who love this team.
“Disappointed. Cos the situation of the game,” said Lampard at the press conference. “We work hard, but basic errors when you should control a game can end up losing you points.”
Chelsea is still fourth in the standings with 40 points, but with a game more than Wolves and Manchester United who play today. Their next opponent is Leicester City on the road, and that is maybe the most important game of the season for the Blues. Meanwhile, Arsenal sits 10 with 30 points and plays with Burnley also on the road.
