Mikel Merino saved Arsenal as the Premier League leaders drew 1-1 with 10-man Chelsea in a tense London derby on Sunday.
Chelsea player Moises Caicedo was sent off for a brutal foul on Merino late in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Caicedo’s departure, Trevoh Chalobah gave Chelsea a second-half lead, but Merino’s equalizer meant Arsenal emerged unscathed from a bruising clash between the championship contenders.
Arsenal is five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, which defeated Newcastle on Saturday, and six points ahead of Chelsea.
When the dust cleared on a high-intensity encounter, Arsenal rued a squandered opportunity to expand their lead over Chelsea in the title race, while the Blues were relieved to avoid a crushing defeat.
Arsenal remain the favorites to win their first Premier League title since 2004, but Chelsea’s combative performance hinted they could pose the biggest threat to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Arsenal is unbeaten in 17 games across all competitions, winning 14 of them, while Chelsea has gone seven games without losing in all competitions.
Chelsea defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Arsenal won 3-1 against Bayern Munich 24 hours later.
The positive outcomes were immediately forgotten when a fierce battle erupted at the Bridge.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had downplayed his young team’s title chances, but they went head-to-head with Arsenal, who were missing injured center-back William Saliba.
A thundering first half included a spate of bookings as both teams attempted to establish themselves.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi dragged down Reece James, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella collided with Bukayo Saka, Mosquera poleaxed Joao Pedro, and Riccardo Calafiori brutally tugged James.
Saka almost exacted swift vengeance on Cucurella with a ferocious strike that Robert Sanchez saved at the near post.
Estevao Willian, a teenage superstar, began for Chelsea following his stellar performance in their victory over Barcelona.
The 18-year-old was unable to reproduce his stunning strike against Barcelona, instead lashing over from 10 yards to squander Chelsea’s first genuine opportunity.
Enzo Fernandez tested Arsenal goalie David Raya from the edge of the box as Chelsea began to put pressure on the visitors’ reshuffled defense.
The war of attrition became ugly in the 38th minute when Caicedo grabbed Merino on the ankle with a terrible foul, which was elevated from a booking to a dismissal after a VAR review.
Chelsea received their sixth red card in all competitions this season.
The Ecuador midfielder’s premature exit was followed by a dangerous Hincapie elbow on Chalobah, prompting Chelsea cries for a red card that went unheeded.
Gabriel Martinelli nearly added to Chelsea’s angst on the stroke of halftime with a fierce blast that forced a fine save from Sanchez.
Arsenal had the best set-piece team in the league with 10 goals in 12 matches.
Arteta responded by putting on Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke, who was jeered and chanted “Chelsea reject” upon returning to his previous club.
Merino’s equalizer in the 59th minute provided an immediate reward for Arsenal’s alterations.
Saka glided past Cucurella with a mesmerizing run and cross, finding Merino for a thunderous close-range header that flew past Sanchez.
Merino scored his fourth goal of the season, as Arteta once again employed the Spain midfielder as a makeshift striker.
