Given Arsenal’s away results against the top six in recent seasons, they wouldn’t have gone to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday with much hope of a positive result.
Yet, against a fierce rival who usually get the better of them, Arsene Wenger’s men put in a solid performance to hold out for a point, and they may rightly feel that they could have gotten more.
But despite Chelsea’s David Luiz getting sent off late in the game, Arsenal couldn’t take advantage. However, a point against the champions was more than most Gunners fans would have expected, so a 0-0 draw was a creditable result.
Here are seven deadly stats from the game…
As expected, Chelsea started on the front foot, looking to expose any Arsenal frailties, and former Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas provided the impetus against his former team.
Last year, he scored in the corresponding fixture, but Fabregas’ value has always been in creating chances for his teammates, and at the start of this game he was at his usual best on that front.
Chelsea should have been 1-0 up after the Spaniard slipped in a perfect through ball for Pedro, only for the forward to fail to take the ball in stride to set himself up for a proper shot.
Cesc Fàbregas has created the most chances (2) for Chelsea in the opening 25 minutes.
Finding his range. pic.twitter.com/vyoo6EVzZS
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
Given Arsenal’s usual away performances against the top six, the way they played in the first half was impressive – and the way they ended it, even more so. Chelsea may prefer a counterattacking game but make no mistake, Arsenal had their hosts hemmed in over the last 15 minutes of the first half.
Chelsea vs. Arsenal from the 30th minute to 45th minute at Stamford Bridge:
Shots: 0-7
Chances created: 0-4Away side finishing on top. pic.twitter.com/n5Ssy94VdS
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
Sunday’s match offered a head-to-head matchup between two strikers signed for big money in the summer, but neither Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette or Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata made much of an impression on the game.
Indeed, both failed to complete 90 minutes, although there were mitigating circumstances with both substitutions. Arsene Wenger’s decision to take off Lacazette when bringing on Sanchez was baffling, while Morata was sacrificed when Chelsea went down to ten men.
Pass accuracy by the No.9s at Stamford Bridge after 70 minutes:
🔵 Alvaro Morata (56%)
🔴 Alexandre Lacazette (53%)Frustrating for both. pic.twitter.com/muZCzWybKk
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
There used to be a running theme for Arsenal games against Chelsea (and indeed, Manchester United) – the Gunners always let their frustrations get the better of them, and an Arsenal player would get sent off.
Against Chelsea, at least, the boot seems to be on the other foot now, with Luiz the latest player to see red in this particular London derby.
Chelsea have had a player sent off in each of their last three games vs. Arsenal.
🔴 Victor Moses
🔴 Pedro
🔴 David Luiz pic.twitter.com/ob9liio0m2— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
Arsenal avoiding defeat in an away game against the top six is rare, but not conceding a goal is rarer still. Especially against Chelsea.
Even in Arsenal’s last win at Stamford Bridge, they conceded three times. So while they would have felt that Sunday’s game was winnable, based on their performance, just keeping a clean sheet was a bonus.
Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in a league game at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2005.
Ending a 12-game conceding streak. pic.twitter.com/V5Tz3AsqvC
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
Chelsea lost two games at home last season in the league, winning 16. This season they’d lost one and won one, before Sunday.
The running theme? Antonio Conte had never seen his team draw a game at home in the league. Until Sunday.
Chelsea at home in the Premier League under Antonio Conte:
Games: 22
Won: 18
Lost: 3
Drawn: 1Arsenal the first to earn a draw. pic.twitter.com/MNVrENXfUH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017
Tiemoue Bakayoko has had a stop-start beginning to his Chelsea career as he looks to build match fitness, but the midfielder has shown the flashes of talent that made the Premier League champions sign him this summer.
After coming on at halftime for the misfiring Pedro, the former Monaco midfielder put in an all-action display to help Chelsea retake control of midfield.
Tiémoué Bakayoko completed every pass and every take-on he attempted vs. Arsenal.
The only player on the pitch to do so. 💪 pic.twitter.com/WlFjUp4DGV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 17, 2017