8 Talking Points from Arsenal’s 2-2 Draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Arsenal faced off against Chelsea, drawing 2-2, and it was an interesting game. Here’s how it all went down:

1. Lineup as Expected with a Surprise

The starting lineup largely matched our predictions, but there was a twist. Aaron Ramsdale wasn’t on the field. Turns out he was welcoming a new baby boy – congrats to him and his family. Everything else was pretty much as we anticipated, except for Jorginho starting instead of Thomas Partey. Not a big deal, and we still believed we could clinch a win.

2. A Rocky Start, No Sugarcoating It

The first half didn’t go so well. Declan Rice called it “the worst 45 minutes of the season,” and he wasn’t far off. We handed Chelsea a penalty and had quite a few misplaced passes. Starting In Chanco seemed like a questionable decision as he struggled big time. David Raya didn’t make things easier with some erratic passes. Luckily, we escaped without too much damage, but the old habit of slow starts from last season reared its head.

3. Referee Calls Up for Debate

The referees had their share of controversial moments. There was a rather head-scratching penalty decision, and it felt like the home crowd was swaying some calls. Cole Palmer got away with a nasty tackle on Gabriel Jesus, and there was an incident where the keeper practically body-checked Gabriel Jesus on a set piece, which could’ve easily been a penalty. The penalty given to Cole Palmer might have been strict by the book.

4. Goalkeeper Errors

Both goalkeepers had their moments to forget. You could argue that three out of the four goals were due to keeper mistakes. Rodrigo’s long-range effort that caught David Raya off his line was a shocker. Sanchez handed Declan Rice an open goal on a platter. After this, it wouldn’t be surprising if fans started clamoring for Ramsdale to return as the starter.

5. Arteta’s Well-Timed Substitutions

Credit where it’s due – Arteta’s substitutions made a significant impact, similar to the Man City match. Perhaps he should consider starting Tomiyasu at left-back over Zinchenko for a more potent attack. We’re still scratching our heads about Thomas Partey not being in the game, but there’s room for improvement in our offensive approach.

6. Lackluster Performances from Some Key Players

Odegaard was nowhere to be found, and his performance was underwhelming. Zinchenko didn’t exactly shine and was subbed out at halftime. Raheem Sterling had an off day, and Gabriel Jesus struggled to make an impact because Saka was having a tough time against Cucurella. We know these players can do better.

7. Keeping Perspective After Dropping Points

It’s a familiar scene – Arsenal drops points, and the overreactions start. People say the league is out of reach. But let’s not forget, a point away from home at Chelsea isn’t the end of the world. We showed character by fighting back even when we didn’t play well for most of the game.

8. Some Positives Amid Challenges

Despite the rough patches, there are some silver linings. We’re still unbeaten in the Premier League, haven’t lost a London Derby in a long while, and have gone five years without losing at Chelsea. The team didn’t give up after a dismal first half. The season is just beginning, and there’s more to come in the Champions League and the Premier League.