Hector Bellerin’s stunning injury-time strike earned Arsenal a point against Chelsea in one of the most entertaining matches of the Premier League season so far.
The two sides shared an incredible 33 chances, with the heroic keeping of Gunners’ Petr Cech and Blues’ Thibaut Courtois ensuring only four goals were conceded.
Courtois had made exceptional stops to deny Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette before he was finally beaten when Jack Wilshere fired high past the Belgian in the 63rd minute.
The lead only lasted four minutes, with Eden Hazard converting from the spot to level after his foot had been caught by Bellerin.
Arsenal manager labelled referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to award the penalty as “farcical”, adding “you could give 10 penalties like that a game.”
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Chelsea must have thought they had secured all three points when Marcos Alonso flicked home substitute Davide Zappacosta’s low cross after 84 minutes.
But in the second minute of stoppage time, Bellerin produced an exceptional half-volley to earn the Gunners a point.
There was more drama seconds from the end when Zappacosta’s shot thundered off Cech’s crossbar.
It was both error strewn and exhilarating, and perhaps a surprising end to a back-breaking festive period for both sides.
Arsenal, playing their sixth game in 19 days, just had the upper hand in the opening exchanges.
Sanchez saw his shot come off both posts after a stunning stop from Courtois, before the Belgian keeper pushed away a low strike from Lacazette.
The French summer signing was a constant menace to the Blues defence during his 80 minutes on the pitch. He had another low effort that came off the heel of Courtois and was denied again by the Chelsea keeper when his turn and shot was pushed around the post.
However, it was Wilshere and Bellerin – with two goals between them this season – who managed to find a way past Courtois.
Wilshere, who had not scored in the top flight since May 2015, gave the Gunners the lead when he smashed home high past the keeper from eight yards out.
And with the Gunners staring at defeat, Bellerin, who conceded the penalty, produced a brilliant side-foot half volley to raise the roof at the Emirates.
Wilshere ends 43-game drought – stats
- Arsenal have avoided defeat against Chelsea in their two league meetings of the season (drawn two) for the first time since 2011-12.
- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has enjoyed just one victory in his six meetings with the Gunners in all competitions since the start of last season (D3 L2).
- This game was Wenger’s 60th meeting with Chelsea in all competitions – making them the side he has faced the most as Arsenal boss (W22 D17 L21).
- Wilshere scored his first goal in his last 43 Premier League games, since netting against West Brom in May 2015.
- Each of the 14 penalties Cech has faced in the Premier League with Arsenal has been scored.
- Since the start of last season, Alonso has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals (12 goals, four assists), four more than any other defender.
- Bellerin bagged his first goal in his last 22 Premier League games, since netting at the tail-end of last season against Everton.
