Key Moments in the Second Half
The second half saw two decisive moments. Arsenal opened the scoring following a turnover by Lavia in the middle third, with a rapid transition that caught Chelsea’s defense unprepared. Notable defensive lapses included Levi Colwill breaking the defensive line and Noni Madueke’s failure to track back, leaving Malo Gusto exposed in a 2v1 against Martinelli. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s positioning also allowed Martinelli to finish at the near post.
As shown by this viz from the wonderful @markrstats, Arsenal made it really difficult for Chelsea to build through - forcing plenty of danger possession losses in the attacking half.
— Fahd (@fahdahmed987) November 10, 2024
The chance for Martinelli in the first half that was saved by Sanchez stems from a possession… pic.twitter.com/imuwz7Pjfj
Chelsea’s equalizer was a well-crafted response. Chelsea capitalized on Arsenal’s rare lapse in defensive organization following a corner. Fernandez found Neto, who exploited a gap between the lines and executed a brilliant finish to level the score - a deserved reward for Neto, who was Chelsea’s most consistent attacking presence throughout the night.
Conclusion
Chelsea’s high-press system and positional adjustments created intermittent threats but were often nullified by Arsenal’s defensive resilience. Arteta’s fluid structure and tactical adaptability left Chelsea struggling to maintain control in midfield, despite their best efforts. Both teams showed moments of tactical brilliance, but ultimately, this was a match where defensive organization prevailed over attacking intent, leading to a fitting 1-1 draw.