Arsenal has only one option left to overcome their ‘nightmare’ and stay in contention for the title.

This was one of those games where, despite being entertaining in the end, it’s hard not to focus on those who weren’t playing. It’s not just about Bukayo Saka, who had to leave the pitch due to injury, but Liverpool, who extended their lead over both Manchester City and Arsenal this weekend.

Arne Slot’s team will likely feel more positive about the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge than either of the teams involved, despite some positives for both sides. Enzo Maresca seemed more upbeat than Mikel Arteta, praising the team’s performance, while Arteta expressed disappointment but also pride. Chelsea, now sitting in third for the first time in three years, couldn’t quite secure the win, though Maresca remains confident. “We’ll soon win this type of game,” he said.

Arsenal managed to stop their losing streak, scoring for the first time in three matches and climbing back into the top four due to other results. However, they’ll still feel like they left something behind, especially the two points lost.

Marc Cucurella, on the other hand, could be proud of his effort, setting the tone for a solid Chelsea performance, despite one defensive mistake leading to Gabriel Martinelli’s goal. This was something Arsenal has dearly missed—Martin Odegaard’s creative influence, which made a difference in the attack.

It would have been symbolic if Odegaard’s full return had led to Arsenal’s first league win in over a month, something they desperately needed for momentum. Instead, Saka’s injury seemed to sum up Arsenal’s season, where positive developments are often quickly countered by setbacks. Arteta expressed concern, saying he’s “praying for no more injuries” and confirmed Saka and Declan Rice would miss international duty, with Odegaard’s participation still uncertain.

Although Odegaard played the full 90 minutes, Arteta acknowledged his exceptional fitness, but there’s still some anxiety over him playing in the Nations League after a previous injury setback. There’s concern about several players across the Premier League dropping out of international duty, with Cole Palmer also a doubt.

Arsenal’s attack was thwarted by numerous offside calls, costing them a potential opener from Kai Havertz and disrupting promising attacks. Chelsea, however, were not fortunate in their equalizer. It was a goal that came from a well-executed counter, with Pedro Neto scoring a brilliant equalizer after being a constant threat throughout the game. David Raya had no chance, though Arteta criticized his side for allowing so much space at the edge of the box.

The game ultimately came down to details. Saka had been quiet before his injury, mostly thanks to Cucurella’s defensive efforts. Cucurella was clearly Chelsea’s standout player, while Mikel Merino made a positive impact for Arsenal after coming off the bench, showing excellent control and vision. A potential partnership between Merino and Odegaard looks promising. Odegaard’s uniqueness is undeniable; Arsenal simply don’t have another player like him, making him indispensable.

Chelsea has similar quality in Cole Palmer, but he was relatively quiet in this game. Neto, however, was the more influential player for Chelsea.

The match ended in a way that makes it hard to draw definitive conclusions, much like the strange state of the Premier League table. The only certainty has been Liverpool’s relentless form, raising the question: Can they maintain it? Unlike under Slot at Feyenoord, Liverpool’s success with Jurgen Klopp offers no clear precedent for how this will unfold.

Maresca’s comment on not yet winning big games was telling, as he specifically mentioned Manchester City and Arsenal, two teams with long-established coaching stability. If Liverpool were in their position, it might feel different, but Arsenal, unlike in previous seasons, are now facing a tough stretch.

Arteta was blunt about Arsenal’s current predicament, calling it a “nightmare.” He urged his players to show more grit in challenging times: “When it gets nasty, show your teeth.” Arsenal’s path forward is clear: they need to “win, win, win.” They’ve been in this position before, and now they must prove they can make up the nine-point gap and overcome the uncertaint

ies of this campaign.