Chelsea opted not to turn to fit-again substitute Cole Palmer, replaced Estevao Willian at half-time, and suffered a red card to their most important player in the first half — and despite all that, they had enough to deny Premier League leaders Arsenal victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea may well come to look back on Sunday’s 1-1 draw as a hugely valuable point gained in this league campaign as they restricted Mikel Arteta’s men to few chances and precious little control despite Moises Caicedo’s 38th-minute straight red card, upgraded from an original yellow, for a studs-up foul on Mikel Merino.
