Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea: Odegaard steals the show as two players fail to impress

Arsenal were unable to return to winning ways as they were held to a draw by Chelsea in a tight encounter at Stamford Bridge. The north Londoners needed a victory to boost their Premier League title hopes but failed to take maximum points from their London rivals.

Kai Havertz thought he had opened the scoring in the first half when he raced onto a through ball and slid it underneath Robert Sanchez. However, the celebrations were cut short with a VAR intervention seeing the goal ruled out for offside.

Arsenal found the breakthrough shortly after the hour mark when Gabriel Martinelli finished calmly at the near post. Chelsea equalised 10 minutes later through Pedro Neto, who thumped the ball home from long range to ensure the spoils were shared.

Express Sport brings you the full rundown of the Arsenal player ratings...

David Raya - 6

Was called into action early on to tip Cole Palmer's long-range effort over the crossbar. Helped to start attacks with his impressive distribution. Could have done nothing to stop Neto's brilliant strike from hitting the back of the net.

Ben White - 5

Bombed forward to support attacks but did not do his defensive duties well enough. Neto had the beating of him on too many occasions. Eventually grew frustrated and was booked for a needless foul on the Chelsea winger. Not his best game.

William Saliba - 6

Was mostly solid at the back, but had a blip when he allowed Wesley Fofana to evade him and latch onto a clipped through ball. Saw his blushes saved when the Chelsea man blazed over. A decent display but nothing to set the world alight.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 6

Played well enough to help Arsenal earn a deserved point. Missed a routine header on the edge of his own box towards the end of the first half but otherwise did okay.

Jurrien Timber - 6

Worked hard in his efforts to disrupt Chelsea's attacks and contributed well going forward. Was left red-faced in the second half when the ball slipped out of his fingers as he attempted to take a throw-in.

Thomas Partey - 5

Gave the ball away too many times early on but later stepped up his passing. Was clearly asked to deal with Palmer but was beaten on too many occasions. Should have been there to close down Neto's long-range strike but was nowhere to be seen.

Declan Rice - 6

Tried to make things happen by getting forward and playing some smart passes into the final third. Showed plenty of determination but was not incisive enough with his passing to make a difference to the result.

Martin Odegaard - 8

Made his return to the starting line-up for the first time since August. Settled into the game well and brought a sense of calmness in the middle of the park. Played an outstanding ball across the box to claim the assist for Martinelli's goal. Back like he never left.

Gabriel Martinelli - 7

Had a golden chance to score in the first half but his strike was too central and easily saved by Robert Sanchez. Made amends after the break by calmly sliding the ball home from a tight angle. Came alive in the second half and deservedly got a goal.

Bukayo Saka - 6

As usual, was at the heart of Arsenal's attacking play. Squirmed out of tight spaces and drew plenty of fouls but was mostly stifled by Chelsea doubling up on him. Went off with a knock in the closing stages. Hopefully nothing serious.

Kai Havertz - 6

Made a nuisance of himself against his former club. Darted into the box and found the net early on but was marginally offside. Was left bloodied for the second time in the space of a week and was booked for refusing to go off for treatment.

Substitutes

Mikel Merino - 6

Kept things ticking in the middle of the park in the closing stages. A solid cameo.

Leandro Trossard - 5

Looked lively when he came on but missed two huge chances to seal victory. Inexplicably blazed over the crossbar from six yards out before failing to make contact with the ball in the dying seconds.

Gabriel Jesus - 6

Was brought on to replace Saka in the closing minutes and did okay without having a massive impact on the game.