Arsenal marched into Stamford Bridge with the swagger of league leaders but walked out relieved after a scrap of the old London variety as makeshift striker Mikel Merino rescued a point against a ferocious Chelsea side reduced to ten men before half time. The Gunners stretched their unbeaten run to seventeen matches yet this had the feel of two points escaped rather than one gained.
The flashpoint arrived in the thirty eighth minute and it sent the Chelsea bench into disbelief. Moises Caicedo flew into a late challenge on Merino and caught the Spaniard high on the shin. Referee Anthony Taylor initially reached for yellow but the intervention from VAR official John Brooks changed everything. One look at the replay and Taylor strode to the pitchside screen before returning with the inevitable red. Chelsea have collected more cards this season than a Christmas postman and this was their sixth dismissal of the campaign.
Oddly the sending off stiffened Chelsea rather than softened them. Mauricio Pochettino threw on Alejandro Garnacho at the break and the visitors immediately lost their grip. Reece James tore forward at every opportunity and forced David Raya into a terrific stop from Joao Pedro before delivering the moment that electrified the Bridge. From James came a wicked outswinging delivery and Trevoh Chalobah rose with perfect timing to flick a header that dropped inside the far post with agonising slowness. Raya watched it sail beyond his reach and the home fans erupted.
Arsenal finally woke up. Bukayo Saka who had been shackled by Marc Cucurella for most of the afternoon finally escaped the left back who had fouled him repeatedly and collected a booking for his troubles. With one quick shimmy Saka carved out the yard he needed and curled a teasing ball to the far post. Merino met it with a thumping header past Robert Sanchez and suddenly the league leaders believed again.
What followed was frantic stuff. Ten man Chelsea sensed that Arsenal were there for the taking and poured forward with the sort of abandon usually punished by title contenders. Pedro Neto broke clear only to drag wide. Substitute Liam Delap tested Raya. Wesley Fofana surged from the back and sent home hearts racing. Arsenal tried to impose some calm but their makeshift defence without Gabriel and William Saliba for only the second time since 2021 never truly settled.
Merino came closest to stealing victory with a crisp drive from the edge of the box while Saka forced Sanchez into a smart save from long range. Yet Arsenal never found the ruthless touch that has defined their season.
The final whistle confirmed a draw that leaves the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City with Chelsea tucked one point behind in third. A bruising London affair ended all square and Arsenal left knowing this title race still has a few twists waiting in the shadows.