In what was a dramatic affair from Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, Chelsea and Arsenal played out a thrilling 1-1 stalemate in west London.
A heavyweight showdown that tends to produce plenty of controversy, the game’s big moment came just seven minutes before the half-time break as Moises Caicedo was shown a straight red card following a late challenge on Mikel Merino.
Despite going down to 10-men, the Blues produced a brilliant display and took the lead just moments after the half-time break as Trevoh Chalobah headed home and set the home fans into overdrive.
However, despite causing the runaway leaders plenty of headaches, Arsenal drew things level 11 minutes later as Spanish international Merino got on the end of Bukayo Saka’s cross and nodded past Robert Sanchez.
Although both of the Premier League giants might have pushed for a dramatic winner late on, the points were eventually shared in what was a pulsating affair.
Sunday’s stalemate means that Arsenal end the weekend fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack, while Chelsea find themselves still sat six points adrift of their historic foes.
In what was a thrilling showdown from west London on Sunday afternoon, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal widen their buffer
While Arsenal might have eventually missed out on the opportunity to make a seismic Premier League title statement on Sunday afternoon, the Gunners did widen their buffer at the top of the top-flight standings.
Although Arteta’s men might have signed off the 2025/26 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles as they were forced to settle for another silver medal finish among England’s elite, Arsenal are rightfully installed as a landslide title contender this time around.
With their sights firmly set on getting their hands on a first Premier League crown since way back in 2004, Sunday’s guests end the weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack.
Embarking on a real Champions League romp and collecting another heavyweight European scalp earlier in the week as they stormed their way to an empathic 3-1 victory against German giants Bayern Munich, Arsenal have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent.
Despite dropping Premier League points for just the second time since the end of September, Arteta should consider Sunday’s 1-1 draw in west London as a point well earned.
Plenty of positives for the Blues
Although Chelsea might have endured a stuttering start to proceedings back in August, Enzo Maresca’s men have come roaring back in some style.
Laying down their own iconic Champions League marked on Tuesday night as they clinched a famous 3-0 romp at home against Barcelona, the former Leicester boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high.
Despite playing the whole of the second-half following Caicedo’s straight red card in the 38th-minute, Chelsea showed a tremendous amount of resolve and caused the Gunners a string of issues on either side of the interval.
Backed by a vocal home support at Stamford Bridge and handing Arsenal their toughest test of the season so far, Maresca’s side will take a huge amount of positives from Sunday’s gutsy performance.
Now suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous 12 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to September 27th – Chelsea are now widely regarded as Arsenal’s main title threat this season.
Man City the biggest winner on Sunday
With the points eventually shared at Stamford Bridge following a fiery affair in the English capital, Sunday’s stalemate was certainly the perfect outcome for another title dreamer.
Watching England international Phil Foden steer Manchester City away from what would have been an infamous collapse against relegation scrappers Leeds on Saturday afternoon, the Sky Blues will start to feel that they can recapture their Premier League crown this season.
Although Pep Guardiola’s men might have once again shown some signs of inconsistency since returning from November’s international break, City are back in the hunt.
Knowing that stability is key heading into a hectic festive schedule, Guardiola’s former champions will be next seen on Tuesday night when they travel to Fulham.
Match Report
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Estevao, Neto, Joao Pedro
Subs: Garnacho, Delap
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Gyokeres, Odegaard, Madueke, Lewis-Skelly
Goals: Chelsea: Chalobah (48’) – Arsenal: Merino (59’)
Yellow Cards: Chelsea: Cucurella – Arsenal: Zubimendi, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Gyokeres
Red Cards: Caicedo (38’)
Referee: Anthony Taylor