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Five things Mikel Arteta learned as Arsenal draw at Chelsea with Liverpool the winners

Arsenal and Chelsea produced a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge leaving Mikel Arteta's men nine points behind league leaders Liverpool and struggling to keep up in the Premier League title race

[Mikel Arteta]

Arsenal lost ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in the final Premier League game before the November international break.

Kai Havertz thought he had opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half, only for VAR to chalk off his goal against his former side. In the second half, Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, getting onto the end of a wonderful Martin Odegaard pass to fire home past Robert Sanchez.

However, moments later, Chelsea grabbed an equaliser through Pedro Neto, who fired home from distance to beat David Raya in the Arsenal net. The game finished 1-1, meaning Arsenal now sit nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, with the Gunners currently heading into the international break in fourth place.

Here are five things Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta learned from the clash against Chelsea, as his side lost further ground in the Premier League title race...

Gabriel Martinelli finally produces

[Gabriel martinelli]

Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

For the majority of this season, Gabriel Martinelli has not performed to the levels he is expected to for the Gunners. In the first half against Chelsea, he should have opened the scoring, but had his shot saved by Robert Sanchez. However, in the second half, the Brazilian did manage to find the back of the net, this time taking his chance to open the scoring at Stamford Bridge.

Latching onto a wonderful ball in behind the Chelsea defence from Martin Odegaard, Martinelli managed to beat the Spaniard at his near post. The relief on the Brazilian's face was clear to see and if Arsenal want to challenge for the Premier League for a third consecutive season, they will need Martinelli to continue to produce for them.

Martin Odegaard outlines importance to Arsenal

[Martin Odegaard]

Martin Odegaard started for the first time since August for Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

It might be simplistic, but Arsenal are a vastly better side with Martin Odegaard than they are without him. The Arsenal skipper's pass for Martinelli was perfect, with the midfielder lofting the ball over the Chelsea defence to find the Brazilian on the left-hand side.

The Norwegian has not started for Arsenal since their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion back in August, missing the last two months due to an ankle injury. However, after returning to action in midweek off the bench for the Gunners in Europe, Odegaard started against Chelsea - and reminded football fans just how important he is to the Gunners.

Kai Havertz left with egg on his face

[Kai Havertz]

Kai Havertz was left with egg on his face

Kai Havertz decided to shush the Chelsea supporters who once sang his name after thinking he had opened the scoring for the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. It was a decision that left him with egg on his face. Because as soon as he had celebrated by shushing Chelsea's fans, VAR intervened, ruling Havertz offside.

Queue mass cheers from the Chelsea supporters inside Stamford Bridge and embarrassment for Havertz, who will have been regretting his choice of celebration against his former club.

Arsenal need a striker - they must address it in January

[ Kai Havertz of Arsenal]

Kai Havertz is Arsenal's first-choice striker(Image: Chloe Knott/Getty Images)

Much like our point about Odegaard above, this is a simplistic point, but still a valid one - Arsenal need a striker. They needed one in the summer, and they still need one now. The last time they scored more than two goals in a Premier League game was back in October against Southampton.

If they want to challenge for the Premier League this term, they must add some more firepower to their attack in January and failure to do so could cost them dearly.

Ground lost on Premier League title rivals

[Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 9, 2024]

Liverpool sit nine points clear of Arsenal and five points clear of Manchester City(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The result against Chelsea saw Arsenal lose more ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool. While they didn't lose ground on Manchester City, the Gunners sit fourth in the Premier League behind Liverpool, City and now Chelsea.

Had they won, they would have pulled closer to City and Liverpool. However, they now sit nine points behind the Reds, who top the table, and four points behind the defending Premier League champions. And if Arsenal don't start winning soon, Arne Slot's league leaders could disappear over the horizon and out of reach.

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