21 October 2023 , 18:25
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Arsenal's managed to salvage their unbeaten start after coming from 2-0 behind to draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Summer signing Cole Palmer was given the opportunity to give the Blues an electric start against their London rivals. VAR saw a penalty awarded for a William Saliba handball - Palmer scoring from the resultant spot-kick.
Mykhaylo Mudryk - previously an Arsenal transfer target - then doubled the home side's lead as his misguided cross dropped into the net. Robert Sanchez's error allowed Declan Rice to halve the deficit as the Gunners threatened a comeback - something that was eventually completed by substitute Leandro Trossard. Take a look at all of the talking points from a dramatic evening at Stamford Bridge:
Handball gifts Chelsea lead
After an impressive start from the hosts, they were given the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot. Mudryk's header was blocked by Saliba's arm, with VAR intervening to see the decision given - loud appeals from Stamford Bridge effectively demanded Chris Kavanagh to visit the monitor.
There was very little doubt that it was a penalty due to Saliba's outstretched arm. It was a similar call that benefitted Liverpool in their Merseyside derby victory against Everton earlier in the day.
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As Mo Salah had done, Palmer stepped up and slammed the ball home with aplomb, sending David Raya the wrong way. For all of the debate about VAR and handball, the decision was spot-on for the opening goal.
Cole Palmer strokes Chelsea into the lead vs Arsenal (Getty Images)Who was your man-of-the-match in Chelsea's draw against Arsenal? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Mudryk haunts Gunners
For a long time since his switch to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal have not been made to regret their failure to sign Mudryk. That was until the Ukrainian saw his mis-hit cross fly beyond Raya, whose positioning has be to questioned.
Mudryk flew down the right and with little option ahead of him, attempted to lift the ball into the box. Instead of finding a teammate, his effort span over Raya and nestled into the Arsenal net.
It represented just his second goal for the Blues since his arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk and his first at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal will be cursing their luck that it came against them.
Formidable away defence crumbles
For so long, Arsenal have looked formidable away from the Emirates Stadium. They had won each of their last three Premier League games away from home.
Their defensive record away from North London was equally as impressive. They had not conceded a goal in 355 Premier League minutes.
An indifferent defensive showing saw that impressive record end with a whimper. While Arteta may bemoan his attack, he also probably needs to look at his defence, too.
Raya still uncomfortable
Speaking of an unconvincing defence, David Raya might be counting his lucky stars that Aaron Ramsdale was not available for the trip to Stamford Bridge. The England star was out of contention after his wife gave birth to a baby boy.
Had he been there, he might have been between the sticks. Raya's unconvincing showings against Lens and Man City had put his position in jeopardy.
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He won't have helped his case against Chelsea. His positioning for Mudryk's goal was all wrong, while he was also fortunate to not have conceded a third after gifting the ball to Palmer midway through the second period. The Spaniard really needs to get back on track if he hopes to stay as the Gunners' number one.
David Raya watches as Mudyryk's cross evades him to find the net (Getty Images)Rice takes advantage of another error
Raya's countryman Sanchez was not free from criticism either. The former Brighton man gifted Arsenal a route back into the game with an error of his own.
Sanchez's woeful clearance was picked off by Rice, who fired a stunning effort into the unguarded net - the goal halving the deficit. That error would go on to bite Chelsea and Sanchez as they relinquished what would have been an impressive victory.
Super sub seals heroic point
While Rice's goal might have made Stamford Bridge feel slightly uneasy, Trossard's quickfire equaliser will have made the stadium feel sick. The Belgian was introduced as a late substitute with his side one goal behind and it only took six minutes for him to have his impact.
Bukayo Saka - who struggled to have an impact throughout the game - floated a teasing ball into the penalty area. Trossard had timed his run perfectly to divert it into the bottom corner and triggered the away end to descend into raptures.
The former Brighton man has a habit of producing in key moments for the Gunners and Arteta will be delighted that it has happened again.