Arsenal Fight Back To Deny Chelsea In Derby Draw

Arsenal staged a stunning fightback from two goals down as Leandro Trossard's late equaliser rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday. Mikel Arteta's team were 13 minutes away from their first Premier League defeat this season after Cole Palmer's early penalty and Mykhailo Mudryk's second-half goal put Chelsea in control. But a miscued pass from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez allowed Declan Rice to give Arsenal a lifeline and Trossard bundled home the leveller with six minutes left. Arsenal's gritty comeback extended their unbeaten start to the league season to nine games, leaving them in second place behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference.

It was another display of the character and spirit pulsing through Arsenal over the last 18 months, qualities that are underpinning their bid to finally win the club's first title since 2004.

For Chelsea, it was a hammer blow after they were on the brink of delivering the first signficant statement victory of Mauricio Pochettino's maiden season in charge.

The Blues have failed to beat Arsenal on home turf since 2018 and they will never get a better chance to inflict defeat on their London rivals. Following a minute's silence to mark the death of former Manchester United and England star Bobby Charlton earlier on Saturday, Chelsea had made a vibrant start in the torrential rain.

The Blues took the lead in the 15th minute after William Saliba's out-stretched arm blocked Mudryk's header. Chelsea's penalty appeal initially looked set to be ignored, but referee Chris Kavanagh eventually awarded it after being advised by VAR to consult the pitchside monitor.

Palmer calmly drilled the spot-kick past David Raya to claim his second goal since signing from Manchester City