A 2-o lead was not enough for Pochettino's side to get the three points as individual mistakes cost them. Whilst the result will be disappointing for Chelsea fans, the performance is the main positive that can be taken away from this fixture. This Chelsea team showed fans that they have the potential to achieve success but still have a few rough edges that need to be sorted out.
Off the back of three consecutive wins, there was an air of confidence that had been lacking around Chelsea for the past year. Arsenal was always going to be a difficult challenge but Chelsea was able to rise to it. Unfortunately for the home side, Arsenal is a team that will always threaten a comeback.
The first goal of the game came from a penalty calmly slotted away by Cole Palmer. This was his second goal of the season, both coming from the spot. The penalty was awarded by VAR after a Mudryk header hit the arm of Saliba, the move itself before the penalty was another example of the potential this Chelsea team has. Starting from Sanchez, Chelsea moved the ball up the pitch efficiently carving open the Arsenal midfield to create the opportunity for Mudryk.
Chelsea were in dreamland at the start of the second half as a poor cross from Mudryk lobbed Raya into the back of the net. Whether it was a cross or a shot can be debated by fans but nonetheless, another goal that will only improve Mudryk's growing confidence.
A Sanchez error kick started Arsenal's comeback, but credit still needs to be given to Declan Rice's finish. A sloppy pass from Sanchez gave Rice a gift to score his second goal for the Gunners this season. The finish itself was still impressive as he still had to get it on target from a distance. The second goal was unrelated to errors, instead a display of the excellence that Arsenal still has in attack. Saka, who up to that point had a relatively quiet game, put in a fantastic ball that fell perfectly to Trossard to tap it in. At that point, it was clear that Arsenal had momentum and could have gone on to score a third.
Cole Palmer was the official Player of the Match and rightly so. Palmer has shown the Premier League his talent that was previously subdued due to his limited game time at City. The maturity in his decision making is what makes him stand out over other young talents. Pochettino has trusted Palmer as a winger, a 10 and now a striker which shows that he has faith that the 21-year-old could excel in a variety of positions. As well as that, his ability as a play maker has rejuvenated Chelsea's attack. If Palmer's start to life at Chelsea is anything to go by, it seems that he will be worth the £40 million that Chelsea spent on him.
Overall, it was a fairly contested match that both sides can take positives from. Chelsea will be more pleased with the performance and promising signs for the future. Whilst Arsenal can be relieved that they have maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier League this season.
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