Arsenal's winless run extended to four matches after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Having lost two of their last three league games, Mikel Arteta's Gunners entered Sunday's match 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool and in need of a victory.

And Arsenal were en route to claiming that win when Gabriel Martinelli – assisted by fit-again captain Martin Odegaard – struck on the hour-mark.

However, Pedro Neto found the bottom-right corner from distance to drag Chelsea level 10 minutes later.

Leandro Trossard failed to capitalise on a brilliant opportunity with the last kick of the game, meaning Arsenal sit fourth, with Chelsea above them on goal difference in third.

How the match unfolded

Having shaken off a knock to start, Cole Palmer saw a 25-yard strike tipped over by David Raya early on, before Chelsea missed a glorious chance in the 24th minute.

Neto supplied a wonderful cross for Malo Gusto at the far post, but the right-back could only head over a gaping goal under pressure from Jurrien Timber.

Robert Sanchez denied Martinelli at his near post, then Chelsea received a huge reprieve in the 34th minute. Kai Havertz latched onto Declan Rice's quick free-kick to prod home, but the on-field decision to award the goal was overturned following a VAR review for offside.

Wesley Fofana went close shortly after the interval, but Arsenal inched ahead on the hour-mark, Martinelli side-footing home after being picked out by Odegaard.

However, their lead was short-lived as Neto cut inside from the right to send a shot skimming off the turf and beyond the despairing dive of Raya.

Arsenal went agonisingly close to a dramatic winner deep in stoppage time, but Trossard – who had the unmarked Havertz lingering behind him – turned William Saliba’s inviting cross wide.

Blues battle back

The early weeks of Enzo Maresca's tenure have been full of promise for Chelsea, but there remains a nagging sense that his side are still waiting on a statement victory.

Chelsea's last three Premier League defeats have all come against last season's top three teams in Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, yet they are unbeaten in 21 matches against all other opponents.

While they fell short of a first win over Arsenal since August 2021, Maresca will be delighted by the fight they showed after falling behind to a Gunners side finally back at full strength.

Moises Caicedo only needed four minutes to level when Bruno Fernandes' penalty put Chelsea on the back foot at Manchester United a week ago, and just 10 minutes elapsed between Martinelli's opener and Neto's excellent equaliser here – the winger’s first top-flight goal for the Blues.

Maresca still has work to do in defence – Chelsea have now conceded at least once in all six of their home league games under him. His team were saved by a VAR review when they fell asleep in the first half, then Levi Colwill was at fault as he played Martinelli onside for Arsenal's opener.

However, few could deny that Chelsea's battling display warranted a point, and with seven of their next 10 league opponents currently sitting in the bottom half, they will be confident of building some momentum in the coming weeks.

Odegaard return not enough

Perhaps for the first time since an eighth-place finish in his first full season in charge in 2020/21, Arsenal boss Arteta was facing scrutiny as his team travelled across London.

Defeats at Bournemouth and Newcastle United had left them well adrift in the title race despite the struggles of champions Manchester City, with Liverpool opening a 10-point gap to the Gunners by impressively beating Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday.

The returns of Odegaard – making his first league appearance since the 1-1 draw with Brighton on 31 August – and Rice, who sat out Wednesday's UEFA Champions League defeat to Internazionale Milano, sparked an improvement.

Rice's rapid thinking almost led to the opener when he threaded a quick free-kick through the Chelsea backline for Havertz to convert, only for the German to be ruled offside. Odegaard, meanwhile, recorded his eighth open-play assist in the Premier League in 2024 when he picked out Martinelli. Having his captain back will be a huge boost for Arteta.

However, Arsenal never truly felt in control and after a couple of close calls, it was no surprise when Neto wiped out their advantage.

The sight of Arteta rolling around on the turf in disbelief after Trossard failed to tap home Saliba’s stoppage-time cross could be a memorable one come the end of the season.

Winless in four league games and with Nottingham Forest up next after the international break, Arsenal may need a faultless festive period if they are to claw their way into title contention.

Match reports

Chelsea report | Arsenal report

Match officials

Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Andy Madley. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Richard West.