LONDON — Arsenal failed to produce a winner against 10-man Chelsea, who picked up a notable 1-1 draw with the Premier League leaders at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
MORE — Mikel Arteta reaction | Enzo Maresca reaction | Player ratings
A scrappy first half saw several cards including a VAR-reviewed red to Moises Caicedo in the 38th minute, delivering expectations of another win for Arsenal.
But it was Chelsea who found a lead through Trevoh Chalobah before MIkel Merino answered for the visitors.
WATCH — Chelsea v Arsenal full match replay
Introductions of returnees Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres could not deliver a winner for Arsenal, which sees its Premier League lead shrink to five points after Man City beat Leeds on Saturday.
Chelsea, meanwhile, stay third with 24 points, above Aston VIlla on goal differential and one point back of Man City.
Arsenal’s run of straight-A tests ends below ‘C’ level
Mikel Arteta and the Gunners have brushed aside so many potential obstacles so far this season, including two just this week when they returned from the international break and rolled over rivals Tottenham Hotspur before shocking previously-unbeaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League. So it felt almost fait accompli that another three points would follow when Moises Caicedo’s over-energetic challenge sent the hosts down to 10 men. Chelsea deserve their plaudits for a committed effort to go for a win with their disadvantage, but surely a team of Arsenal’s ilk is expected to find numerous dangerous chances up a man against any opponent. Yet no, and doubters will ask more questions about whether Arteta’s attack can do such a thing against top, top opposition. With Man City now within five points and the Blues right behind them, Arsenal will hope the improving health of their attack corps can stop any other displays akin to this one. (Nick Mendola)
Chelsea make a statement without winning a game
It’s been a long process and journey, but Chelsea are most certainly back. It’s not a huge surprise that they got to this point given the oodles of money they’ve spent with big swings at young talent, but they’ve found talent and depth and — perhaps just as important — they’ve found a leader of men. Enzo Maresca’s men know their jobs and do them. Moreover, they rarely seem rattled and their reaction to Moises Caicedo’s red card shows why they can live in the top four this season and even challenge for the title. They’ve made this run without Levi Colwill, who isn’t coming back, and Cole Palmer, who was on the bench and will return any day now. If Chelsea can get better finishing out of their No. 9, they can make run at all four trophies still up for grabs this season. (Nick Mendola)
What’s next?
Arsenal host Brentford at 2:30pm ET Wednesday before visiting old friend Unai Emery and Aston Villa for the early 7:30am kickoff on Saturday.
Chelsea visit Leeds at 3:15pm Wednesday and then go to Bournemouth in the 10am Saturday window.
Chelsea vs Arsenal final score: 1-1
Trevoh Chalobah 48'; Mikel Merino 59'
Chelsea vs Arsenal live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Stamford Bridge
Gyokeres clobbers Sanchez
Robert Sanchez makes a brilliant diving save but has to rescue the loose ball before Gyokeres can poke it hime.
The Spaniard gets both hands on it and instant before Gyokeres’ legs slide into the keeper, catching him in the face.
Taylor awards just a yellow and VAR is satisfied with that.
Viktor Gyokeres enters the game
Eberechi Eze’s days is over, and big forward Viktor Gyokeres’ return from injury is upon us.
Anything could happen...
It genuinely feels like Chelsea could still win this. Arsenal are buoyed by that equalizer, but the Blues are a threat on the counter and from set pieces. We are approaching the final 20 minutes.
Merino heads home Saka’s perfect cross!
Bukayo Saka cuts in and delivers a superb cross which Mikel Merino heads home. Pure class from Saka. Arsenal are level. This game is beautifully poised now.
Lewis-Skelly booked and Delap is on for Joao Pedro
Lewis-Skelly takes out James who was charging away and is booked, while Joao Pedro is off with Liam Delap coming on in his place. Big moment for the English forward. Can he give Chelsea a focal point?
Chalobah heads home!
The 10 men of Chelsea lead as Chalobah heads home from a corner. It came moments after Joao Pedro’s header from a free kick was clawed behind by David Raya who was a little hesitant. The Bridge is bouncing! Let’s see what Arsenal have in their locker now.
Subs at half time for both
These are sensible subs. Calafiori, on a yellow, is off and Myles Lewis-Skelly is on at left back. Alejandro Garnacho is on for Estevao. The youngster will be disappointed with that, but it makes sense.
Half time: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
What a fiery first half that was. Caicedo was sent off for a shocking challenge on Merino, after VAR asked referee Anthony Taylor to consult the monitor, and it has been a pretty even game. Lots of fouls and yellow cards have broken up the rhythm but both have had a couple of decent half chances. Arsenal will have to be careful with so many players on yellow cards.
🚨 What a feisty first half that was! Caicedo deservedly sent off, but so many fouls and a pretty even game.
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 30, 2025
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/bCk2lgyRLB
My thoughts on Chelsea vs Arsenal and what to expect in the second half ⤵️ #CFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/0BspCMwOT4
Sanchez saves well from an Arsenal break
The Gunners break and Sanchez gets down really well to save a low shot from Martinelli. Arsenal pushing hard to go ahead before the break.
After VAR check, Caicedo sent off for a horror tackle on Merino
Gabriel Heinze and the entire Arsenal bench jump up and shout when they see the replay of Caicedo’s challenge on Merino. That is a really bad challenge. Caicedo really lucky to only get a yellow card. But hang on, VAR is asking Anthony Taylor to check for a possible red... and he’s sent off. That is such a clear red card.
Joao Pedro should do better
Joao Pedro can’t make the most of a mistake from Piero Hincapie. He takes too long on the ball after the Arsenal defender slipped, and his pass is too heavy. This is getting very lively now. Joao Pedro should have had a shot!
Calafiori is booked now!
Reece James wins the ball back from Calafiori and surges towards goal, again, and Calafiori brings him down. Another yellow card is out, as Calafiori is in the book. Three yellows for Arsenal and one for Chelsea now.
Timber with a great last-ditch tackle
Superb last-ditch tackle by Timber as he was covering. Enzo Fernandez was almost in as he took the ball down. Chelsea building some pressure now. Arsenal struggling to keep the ball.
Estevao smashes over
A good chance for Chelsea as a ball into the box is only half cleared by Arsenal and drops to the teenager. But he smashes over the bar under pressure from Calafiori. He then curls miles over moments later. He’s getting his eye in.
Rice with a great tackle to deny Neto
The game is really end-to-end now. Not much control for either side. Pedro Neto is twisting and turning in the box and Declan Rice slides in and makes a perfect tackle. Lovely tempo about this game.
Mosquera is now booked
Three bookings inside the first 13 minutes here, as Mosquera catches Joao Pedro. Zubimendi, Cucurella and Mosquera all on a yellow. This probably won’t end with 11 players on the pitch for both teams, will it?
Sanchez denies Saka!
Arsenal with a big chance. Eze’s ball to the back post finds Saka and he takes a touch and drills a low shot on target at the near post. Sanchez saves well but Saka will be a little disappointed with that effort. Replays show he was just offside, probably.
Cucurella booked for his second foul on Saka
Such a clear foul by Marc Cucurella on Bukayo Saka, his second hefty foul of the game on Saka, and he’s booked after just 10 minutes. Wonderful situation for Saka now.
Zubimendi booked for fouling Reece James
That was pretty cynical as James raced away in midfield. Zubimendi hauled him down. Both sets of fans aren’t happy with the ref.
We are underway! What a brilliant occasion
Estevao is on the right to start with Pedro Neto on the left and Enzo Fernandez as the No. 10 for Chelsea. Arsenal have Eze floating as a No. 10 supporting Merino with Martinelli on the left wing.
🚨 Welcome to Stamford Bridge! Huge game as Chelsea and Arsenal collide. Can Chelsea cut Arsenal’s lead atop the table to 3 points?
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) November 30, 2025
WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos & more ➡️ https://t.co/bCk2lgzpB9
3 things I’m looking forward to ⤵️ #CFC #AFC pic.twitter.com/my7jdB2KlS
Great atmosphere building
What a cracking atmosphere building now. Gabriel Heinze is going around getting into the Arsenal defenders. He’s loving it. Chelsea’s players are buzzing around with Estevao looking very relaxed and having a chat with the coaching staff as he juggles the ball.
Big team news is that Saliba is out! — More details, here
How on earth did Arsenal keep this quiet!? William Saliba picked up a knock in training and is out injured for this game at Chelsea. That is massive and means first-year Premier League center backs Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie start together with Gabriel also out injured. They have both done really well coming in, but this is a huge ask for them against Chelsea’s purring attack.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto; Joao Pedro
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Chelsea team news, focus
Cole Palmer has been pushing hard to make this game and Enzo Maresca says he could start as he returns from injury. Maresca is without Levi Colwill for the rest of this season, while Romeo Lavia is missing again through injury and Dario Essugo is still out too. There are so many ways Maresca could line up but Reece James at right back with Malo Gusto in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo worked well against Liverpool and could bamboozle Arsenal a little. Estevao is pushing hard to start in attack — Maresca says he believes Estevao and Palmer can play together — while Joao Pedro will surely come in up top after being rested in midweek.
Arsenal team news, focus
Arteta suddenly has a whole host of options to choose from and Arsenal’s squad continues to be the star of the season. Cristhian Mosquera stepped in admirably in midweek, while Riccardo Calafiori (assist), Noni Madueke (goal) and Gabriel Martinelli (goal) all contributed massively off the bench. Strikers Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are all close to returning from injury, while Martin Odegaard returned in midweek and will likely come off the bench again. It seems likely that Arteta will go with the same starting lineup as the win against Spurs last week, but Leandro Trossard is a doubt after coming off against Bayern. Arsenal will likely start Mikel Merino playing out of position up top and Piero Hincapie will start as the left-sided center back as Gabriel is out injured for at least another few weeks.
Chelsea vs Arsenal preview
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have won five of their last six in the league and beat Barcelona 3-0 at home in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, as they’ve now won three games in a row in all competitions without conceding a goal. This is a massive test for this young Chelsea side but Maresca has rotated expertly in recent weeks and they will be focused on cutting the gap to leaders Arsenal to just three points.
But Arsenal are in majestic form with Mikel Arteta’s side beating Bayern Munich 3-1 at home in the Champions League on Wednesday just a few days after shellacking Spurs 4-1 in the derby. With plenty of key players coming back from injury, the Gunners look so strong and are expected to extend their lead further atop the Premier League and Champions League tables in the coming months. They go to Chelsea knowing a win will take them nine points clear of perhaps their biggest title rivals this season. Is it too early to call this a six-pointer?
Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
This is such a tough one to call. Arsenal are the favorites, but Chelsea are in great form too and both teams will be full of confidence after big midweek wins in the Champions League. I’m going to sit on the fence. Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal.
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday (November 30)
Venue: Stamford Bridge — West London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
