Arsenal

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal first smashed Spurs then belittled Bayern Munich last week but even though they sat at the top of the table when they turned up at Stamford Bridge, it still felt like it could be a defining afternoon.

‌In reality Arsenal looked jaded in comparison to the rest of the season even when Chelsea went down to 10 men in the first half. The usually tireless Declan Rice was strangely subdued, though Reece James did play him brilliantly. Rice was almost certainly being asked to cover the stand in centre-backs but it curtailed their dynamism in attack.

‌The Gunners need some of their injured players back soon - and for those who are fit to return to their peak levels.

‌What the afternoon underlined more than anything is that it isn't going to be a stroll to the title. Even this grafting, ugly point might turn out to be huge in the fullness of time.

It is hardly a disaster getting a point at a fast-improving Chelsea, especially after the week they have had, but we all watched Liverpool crash after a brilliant start. The concern is still there in the background for Arsenal fans every time there is an under-par performance.

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Brentford at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• William Saliba has a "little niggle" and believes it will be a "matter of days" that he is out, with midfielder Leandro Trossard in a similar situation. Forward Kai Havertz is "doing well" but still a "matter of weeks away", as is defender Gabriel.

• On Havertz, Arteta added: "He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it's looking like we have unlocked that. We're all desperate to have him. He's a player that personally I love so much for what he brings to the team, his character, his personality. I see him suffer being outside. His playing record is phenomenal and I can't wait to have him back around the team."

• Asked about the injury situation this season, he responded: "The attitude towards it and the way the players are performing and giving absolutely everything they can to fulfil those absences has been the key of the season because we have had to deal with a lot already."

• On if the game on Wednesday is an opportunity for squad rotation: "It's an opportunity to be at the Emirates, bouncing and putting energy to win the game. That's the opportunity that we have. Like animals, everybody at the Emirates, to go again and beat Brentford. Vital. Massive."

• The Gunners boss insisted it will not be a challenge to motivate the players for this match because of "where we are in the league and what we are doing - I don't think we need any more motivation than that".

• Arteta knew midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored against Chelsea, could "offer much more than what he had" and, on him playing as a striker, added: "A player that has that amount of curiosity and the amount of questions he has, the way he loves his profession, it's difficult to put limits to that. When someone wants to grow every single day, they tell me they're hungry to win and to be part of something, that's very powerful."

• On goalkeeper David Raya, who signed from opponents Brentford in 2023: "An amazing goalkeeper and it's a great story as well how it happened because we tried to sign David much earlier, I think it was as soon as I arrived almost, and he had to wait for another two years. The start that he had and the journey that we had together, I think it's been phenomenal for us and we're very happy to have him."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

That was the discussion on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club after Arsenal settled for a point against 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

It followed a similar gameplan to when they faced Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton asked ex-England winger Andros Townsend: "Is it one of those games as a player that when you get back in the dressing room you think, 'a point is OK but could or should we have been a bit braver and committed and got more bodies forward?'"

Townsend replied: "We know from the past couple of years that Mikel Arteta's mentality in these big games is just make sure you don't lose it.

"They could have gone for it and committed Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi earlier, but that would have left two inexperienced Premier League centre-halves on their own."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Ecuadorian twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero, both attacking midfielders aged 16, from Independiente Del Valle when they turn 18 in August 2027. (ESPN), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Football reporter

When Mikel Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in August 2024, few thought they would ever ask if he could be their number nine.

He arrived at Emirates Stadium as a 28-year-old Spain international midfielder with more than 200 La Liga appearances and a Euros title to his name. Not once had he played as a striker.

But little more than a year on, Merino is a serious contender to be Arsenal's main frontman - even taking into account the fact that some of their walking wounded are returning.

Back in February, he came on as a substitute to score twice in a 2-0 win over Leicester - the first time in his professional career that he had played as a striker.

After scoring 16 goals in 63 games for Arsenal, does his future lie in the centre-forward's role?

Image source, Getty Images

Merino has proved he can deliver in big games. In his past five games as a striker, he has registered three goals and two assists.

The 29-year-old is Arsenal's joint-top scorer in the Premier League in 2025 with eight goals, five coming from headers.

Merino is a physical presence too, well over 6ft, but he looks to make space for his team-mates in a different way.

He has started to drop deep into midfield to let the wingers and midfielders around him run into space, with Leandro Trossard's opening goal in the 4-1 win against Tottenham on 23 November an example of this.

Merino is a regular for his country in midfield - and at Arsenal, is considered one of the most tactically aware players in the squad.

With Brentford next up at Emirates on Wednesday before a busy festive schedule, could Arteta be considering Merino as a genuine longer-term option in attack and not just an emergency striker? The stats and performances suggest it's not out of the question.

Read Alex's full piece

Who is Arsenal's best striker?

Choose over here

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

If you had asked most Arsenal fans at the start of the week if two wins and a draw was an acceptable outcome for the three teams they faced, most would have said "yes". In fact, most would have been delighted with that return.

Despite this, there is some gloom among fans following the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday - regarding both the result and the performance.

For me, it is understandable. The sheer emotional expenditure required by these players over the past three games cannot be underestimated. In the space of a week, Arsenal have experienced a derby against Spurs, a Champions League game against a previously unbeaten Bayern Munich side and an away trip to a title rival.

This has been a lethal cocktail of hope, pressure and ecstasy.

For each of these games, there is the pre-game psychological warfare. Then comes the physicality of the game itself, which even in the 4-1 drubbing of Spurs will have had an impact. And then follows the come-down, the adrenaline leaving the body and the immense energy required to get up and go again. Living constantly in this cycle is unsustainable, but it is what was demanded of the Gunners.

Sunday's performance was subpar across the board and Mikel Arteta's team were outclassed by Chelsea. The emotional toll of two enormous wins was there to be seen in the missed passes, ill-advised shots and a general sense of nerves from the very first minute.

Arsenal have escaped this time without a loss, which should be commended. But if they are to go deep in the Champions League, the domestic cups and finally get over the line in the Premier League, they will need to learn how to cope with these do-or-die games in close proximity.

There is a saying that goes 'if you don't schedule a break, your body will take one for you - and it probably will not be at a convenient time'. This remains the ultimate fear for all Arsenal fans. That peaking too soon, in games that are ultimately inconsequential, will once again be their downfall.

For now though, a draw away at Chelsea to keep the gap to six points? I will take it.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Another weekend, and another set of subjective decisions - and a possible offside on Chelsea's goal against Arsenal appears to have gone under the radar.

Reece James floated a corner in from the left and Trevoh Chalobah flicked a header into the back of the net.

But there was a problem. Enzo Fernandez was stood in an offside position and was very close to Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera.

Did Fernandez influence the decision-making of either defender? If the Chelsea midfielder was not there, would there have been a better chance of stopping the header going in?

Fernandez did not try to play the ball and, while he was not directly engaging with Mosquera, he had his arm on Hincapie's back.

You can make a very strong case for offside so it comes back to a question of consistency again.

It was looked at by the VAR team, who did not think there was any impact on the defenders.

Perhaps if we had not had the decision given against Andy Robertson for Liverpool against Manchester City earlier in November, we would not be talking about offside on this goal.

Read more about the issues this weekend

Image source, PA Media

Commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Sunday's 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Arsenal: "It's not [a bad result for Arsenal].

"Given the way it's gone for Arsenal over the past few seasons, their most pessimistic of fans would talk about the way their title challenge has fallen away at times, there could be a tendency to see it that way [as a bad result].

"I actually think that with both first-choice centre-backs missing, up against a Chelsea team which I don't think is getting enough credit for the way they're playing this season - and off the back of the week Arsenal have had, beating Bayern Munich and Spurs - I think that's a pretty decent result and a point gained."

Asked whether Chelsea are genuine contenders in the Premier League title race, former Arsenal assistant boss Steve Round said: "Yes I do. They're maturing as a team, they've got a lot of young players and they're fairly newly formed - they haven't got a weight of experience behind them of Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal - but they're emerging.

"They're exciting and they've got some incredibly good attacking players. The manager is learning on the job, getting better and more understanding of the league.

"This season they could push. Do I think they can win it? Probably not - it might be just a touch too far.

"I still think it's going to be between Arsenal and Manchester City - and I think this year, it's got to be Arsenal's title. They look like they're the best team in the league so far."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

Eberechi Eze says Arsenal are disappointed at only drawing with 10-man Chelsea but believes his side will ultimately reflect on the point positively.

The result kept Chelsea six points behind Arsenal, but Manchester City closed the gap to five points at the top of the table after a late win at home to Leeds on Saturday.

Asked specifically if drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge was disappointing, Eze replied: "Yes, of course. It was an opportunity for us to win and we want to win every game we play.

"But I think we will look back on it and be positive we got at least a point. As long as we stick to the process and put it in perspective, we will keep on going."

The draw made it 17 games unbeaten for Arsenal in all competitions and they also lead the 36-team Champions League table.

On whether his side can win the Premier League and Europe's elite competition, Eze added: "That's our dream, what we are working towards. I am positive that we can keep going and keep believing it is possible.

"It is an incredible team with incredible players. We are working to achieve something great, so it is top to be part of that.

"I love the fans who are helping to push me on. We are going to keep pushing for Wednesday [at home to Brentford]."

Arsenal's form is particularly impressive given they have had to cope with injuries to key players, with influential centre-back pair Gabriel and William Saliba both missing the Chelsea trip.

"We have had a lot of players coming back and a few injuries, so it is important for everyone to stay fit," Eze said. "When people come back, they are coming back strong."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Obi: It was great performance. Maresca learned from the red card in the Manchester United match, when he made terrible substitutions. With every game he is learning. If Chelsea can continue with these performances without Palmer, I think they will be in the title race. They need to keep consistency.

Alan: Another red card. When is someone going to get a grip on this and start dishing out serious in-club punishment? We were very lucky to survive this match with 10 men. I would have accepted a point before the match, but I have to ask myself, could we have won this match with 11 players on the pitch? A big well done to the players who held out for the draw.

Jack: We totally could have won that. Obviously the red is frustrating, but it was an entertaining game and we looked dominant for a lot of the match. A shoutout to Sanchez, who is looking increasingly reliable as the campaign progresses.

Jarvis: Great performance with high pace and pressing. Caicedo needs to curb his 'enthusiasm' a little as we could have got the win which would have been a massive statement against the top team in the league. Has Maresca FINALLY seen the light and dropped his sideway-backwards style? Time will tell.

Colin: Chelsea played really well, showing cohesion and a maturity that is beginning to galvanise the whole squad. Our trajectory is positive and once Estevao and Palmer start to combine we may become a real force.

Arsenal fans

Rez: Arsenal's mentality was weak. Against 10 men they should have piled on the pressure, especially when there was no Caicedo in the middle of the park. But they lacked energy, impetus or any desire to go win the game. Chelsea were brilliant. They took the game to Arsenal even with 10 men. If Arsenal genuinely want to win the title, they need to put games like this to bed. So frustrating being an Arsenal fan.

Harry: I'd have settled for a point before the game. Chelsea were always going to be tough opponents and so it proved. This season, our heads don't drop when we go behind and we got a well-deserved draw. The referee was overly fussy and too quick to reach for his yellow card.

Graham: Probably the poorest performance of the season so far by Arsenal. Credit to Chelsea showing lots of fight but I think they will tail off towards the end of the season after a tough pre-season with no rest. Arsenal have got through a tough week and now we look forward to a big December. Still very positive.

Vince: A wasted opportunity against 10 men. But if you'd asked me last month if I would take two wins and a draw this past week against Spurs, Bayern, and Chelsea, I'd have happily taken it, no questions asked. I would have even bought you coffee!

Ari: It was a disappointment. We could not create real chances and Chelsea were fighting well. It was clear that we needed Saliba and Gabriel. Our left wing was not good enough.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

There's a London derby as Chelsea take on Arsenal, Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace, and struggling Wolves make the short journey to Aston Villa. Elsewhere, West Ham entertain Liverpool and Nottingham Forest face Brighton.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 1-0 Wolves

• Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brighton

• West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

• Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Beta is leading their pursuit of Elche's Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, 20, before the January transfer window opens. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea and Tottenham are ready to battle the Gunners for Mendoza. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Just as it looked as though Arsenal were getting all of their key players back with Viktor Gyokeres back fit and Gabriel Jesus named on the bench for the first time since January - they were dealt a blow with William Saliba ruled out on Sunday through injury.

That meant that Mikel Arteta had to turn to Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera at centre-back.

Arsenal are usually so dominant from set-pieces but without the towering first-choice pair, they did not pose the same threat.

It was also through a corner that the Gunners went behind, which will disappoint Arteta.

Mosquera looked nervy at times in the heat of a derby and was one of three of the back four, along with Riccardo Calafiori and Hincapie, to pick up a yellow card.

But Arsenal dealt with the period after going behind well, and Mikel Merino, like he has done on so many occasions in his short Arsenal career, scored a vital goal to bring them level.

It was not Arsenal's best performance but coming into the busy Christmas period, there will be games when the Gunners just have to find a way to get a result.

Arsenal have navigated a tricky three-game period against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and now Chelsea and come out unbeaten.

They are five points clear in top spot and picking up a point against a good Chelsea team, even one down to 10 men, is a good result.