Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea as Martin Odegaard shines on return and Partey good

Arsenal dropped more points in their quest for the Premier League title as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners probably were just about the better side in a low key first half and could have been in front if VAR hadn't intervened to rule out Kai Havertz's goal for offside.

But it was Chelsea who had the more presentable opportunities. Malo Gusto went closest, heading the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box after a superb cross from Pedro Neto.

That changed after the whistle though as Arsenal began to create. Gabriel Martinelli was able to poke in at the back post to give the Gunners the lead after a superb lob from the returning Martin Odegaard.

The lead would last just 10 minutes though as Neto found acres of space on the edge of the box before finishing hard and low to level the scores.

David Raya: Couldn't do an awful lot to stop the goal. Claimed crosses well aside from that and had one great moment of sweeping to stop Mudryk. 7.

Ben White: Got forward well as he resumed his link up with Saka and Odegaard down the right. Not always at his best defensively, though, and stupidly got into an off the ball battle with Neto. Booked. 6.

William Saliba: Defended well for the most part. Never too troubled by Jackson and was decent playing out from the back. 7.

Gabriel: Solid again for the most part. Popped up in some unusually advanced positions on the left wing. Did look a little ruffled on occasion when Chelsea played over the top. 6.

Jurrien Timber: Didn't offer quite enough when he got forward. Generally very good defensively but did allow Madueke to put in a potentially dangerous cross too easily on one occasion. 6.

Thomas Partey: Moved back into the lone pivot and after some teething pains he did well in the role. Kept possession well in the build up to Martinelli's goal. 7.

Martin Odegaard: The Norwegian is back and it feels so good. Superb off the ball in leading the Arsenal press. Great on it too in creating the goal. 8.

Declan Rice: Almost gave arsenal the lead with a moment of quick thinking created a goal for Kai Havertz which was ruled offside. Never looked fully fit as he returned from his midweek injury. Arguably out of position for the Neto goal. 6.

Bukayo Saka: Always has a good battle with Cucurella and probably just about came out on top in this one. Slightly quieter overall though, and limped off with an injury. 6.

Kai Havertz: Thought he'd managed to quieten the critical home fans only to have his goal ruled out for offside. Not quite at his highest level otherwise, but did OK up front against the physicality of Colwill. 6.

Gabriel Martinelli: Finished well after an initial poor touch to put Arsenal ahead. Hadn't been at his best before that and could maybe have tracked Neto better for the goal. 7.

SUBSTITUTES -

Mikel Merino: A good cameo from the Spaniard. Got forward into the box well where he was a threat and held possession nicely in midfield. 7.

Leandro Trossard: Back to his role of super sub and nearly had the winner with a chance skied over the bar, as well as missing a chance at the death - but it would have been offside anyway. 6.

Gabriel Jesus: Came on too late for a rating. n/a.