Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Gunners lose further ground in Premier League race as fine margins have created big gap

A 1-1 draw at Chelsea, where a win was there for the taking, sees Arsenal nine points behind leaders Liverpool

LONDON -- In normal circumstances, a point at a Chelsea side who look altogether more like a serious outfit would be nothing to be sniffed at by Arsenal. With Martin Odegaard pulling the strings again, the visitors looked altogether more like themselves, a side whose final third occupation came with a little more incision.

Then again, few Arsenal fans would claim they have had anything like normal circumstances since Declan Rice swung a diffident boot in the direction of a yet-to-be-taken Brighton free-kick. Too much time with 10 men, too many injuries: it had been two months and change since anyone had seen this title contender at anything like full tilt.

If they weren't quite there at Stamford Bridge they were swinging in that general direction. This was not a game that either side necessarily dominated but Arsenal at least made sure they played it where they wanted, 156 attacking third touches to 122, slightly more possession, even if in that familiar fashion the territory did not particularly result in as many high-quality shots on penalty box touches as it might have. The margins were fine, agonizingly so in the case of three offsides.