It took only ten minutes for Chelsea to equalize, with a stunning long-range strike from new signing Pedro Neto.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard squandered an opportunity in the final moments to secure the win, stretching unsuccessfully to meet a cross from William Saliba. As a result, the visitors had to settle for a draw.
Arteta was visibly frustrated after the match, criticizing his players for failing to maintain their lead, echoing the same issue they encountered in the recent match against Liverpool.
He told Sky Sports: “I think we were the superior side, dominating the game in many aspects, and after taking the lead, I’m really disappointed with how we conceded. It was poor, and it’s not up to our usual standards—we simply can’t accept that.
“I’m really proud of the team’s spirit, but ultimately, we’re here to win, and we didn’t. The goal came from a set piece in the second phase, and we were disorganized. We didn’t react quickly enough, and you can’t allow a pass like that.
“We know Neto has the quality to finish like that, but our standards were not good enough. The players are all disappointed, but they showed great resilience. We wanted the win, and it didn’t come.
“You could see everything was flowing, but it’s always about getting the result. We have a clear vision for how the team can evolve. What we’ve learned is that something has to change because we’re facing issue after issue.
“My main concern is ensuring the players are physically at their best for the full 90 minutes. If we can do that, I’m confident we’ll have a strong season.”
The draw didn’t benefit either team, leaving both nine points behind Liverpool, with only 11 matches played.
When asked about the gap to Liverpool, Arteta responded: “There’s nothing we can do about that now. What I’m hoping is that after the international break, we have the team fully fit and ready.
“We’ve been dealing with a nightmare for the past eight weeks.
“Every week, there’s a new doubt or issue, not just with the players who are unavailable, but also with those who can only play in short bursts. I’m just hoping we can have the squad in the best condition.
“There’s no question about the desire of the team, and how much we want to succeed. It will come; we just need consistency on our side.
“When the going gets tough, I want to see players show their true character. When everything is easy and everyone’s singing your praises, it’s simple.
“When it gets difficult, when people start questioning you, that’s when I want to see who steps up. I’m paying close attention.”
Adding to Arteta’s frustrations, Declan Rice appeared to limp off the pitch in the 71st minute, followed by Bukayo Saka, who was substituted after a strong challenge from man of the match Marc Cucurella.
The Arsenal manager said: “They don’t look great, to be honest. I’m not sure if it’s long-term, but neither could finish the game, so it’s not good news.”
