Marc Cucurella pockets Bukayo Saka to end his Premier League streak at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

Arsenal could not snap their current Premier League winless run as they and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge this evening.

Mikel Arteta’s men had lost two of their previous three league outings — with both coming on the road — and initially went ahead before the hosts pegged them back.

Gabriel Martinelli put the Gunners in front on the hour mark but that lead was only held for ten minutes as Pedro Neto sensationally equalised to register his first-ever goal in a Blues jersey.

Heading into this fixture, all eyes were on the club’s respective difference-makers in attack. However, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka could not influence the game, albeit the Chelsea forward tested David Raya early on from long range.

While the visitors did a good job limiting Palmer, Blues left-back Marc Cucurella earned plaudits, even being named player of the match by Gary Neville on Sky Sports commentary. In this game last season, which ended 2-2, Saka gave the Spanish full-back the go-around; he succeeded in two of his five attempted tackles while committing two fouls and earning a yellow card.

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This was an improved showing with Cucurella producing a near-perfect defensive performance: winning all three of his tackles, making three interceptions and committing just one foul.

It took Saka until the 78th minute to get past him, and that proved to be the last involvement of England international, as he went off with a suspected injury. Cucurella was booked for bringing Saka down, which seemed inevitable given how touch-tight he was.

To put this performance in some context. Saka provided more assists than any other player in the Premier League this season (7) heading into this latest round of games. He also either scored (1) or assisted (2) a goal in each of his previous three away games against Chelsea in the Premier League, with Sergio Agüero (2013 to 2017) and Javier Hernandez (2012 to 2018) the only visiting players to do so in four consecutive appearances. Cucurella ensured Arsenal’s number seven wouldn’t join that very exclusive group.

Arteta’s concern will be the extent of Saka’s injury but the Gunners have now gone four consecutive Premier League games without a win for the first time April 2023 (D2 L2); the Gunners had picked up all three points in 21 of their previous 25 league matches before this (D3 L1).

As for Chelsea they will end a day in the top three places of the Premier League table for the first time since the final day of the 2021-22 season, when they finished in third position behind Manchester City and Liverpool.