Combative Chelsea rattle Arsenal but Maresca's men stray close to the edge | Jacob Steinberg

Mikel Arteta's men looked like they were coasting, with Chelsea still trailing 1-0 at halftime, courtesy of Bukayo Saka's goal in the 26th minute. But the visitors showed their character after Moisés Caicedo's sending off for a reckless tackle on Mikel Merino at the 38-minute mark. The decision was a bold move by Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's young coach, to keep playing with an extra man instead of withdrawing one of his attackers to bolster the midfield.

For the remainder of the match, it was Chelsea who took control, and they eventually levelled the score when Trevoh Chalobah headed in a corner from Reece James. The momentum shifted in favour of the Blues, but ultimately, they were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage to seal the win.

Chelsea's performance was marked by moments of brilliance, particularly from James, who dominated midfield and earned three yellow cards for his opponents. However, there were also instances where they overstepped the mark, with Fernández risking disciplinary action after catching Mosquera in the face. The young Argentine's aggressive nature is starting to pay off, but he needs to be more mindful of the lines.

Maresca's tactical decisions were vindicated by his team's resilience and determination. After Caicedo's dismissal, Chelsea adapted their strategy, with Fernández playing deeper in midfield. The plan worked, as they began to pin Arsenal back, and James' quality was on full display.

Despite ultimately drawing 1-1, the draw has provided a glimmer of hope for Chelsea's title ambitions. While inconsistency remains a concern, there is undeniable progress being made under Maresca's guidance. Arsenal may remain the favourites to win the league, but they will now know that Chelsea are a threat, and that's all that matters.

The match has also highlighted the differences in approach between the two teams. Arsenal have adopted a more defensive mindset under Arteta, while Chelsea are taking a riskier approach under Maresca. This contrast may lead to some intriguing clashes down the line.

Chelsea's future prospects now look brighter than ever, and with players like James, Fernández, and Chalobah continuing to develop, there is no reason why they can't become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. The question on everyone's mind is: how far will Maresca's Chelsea go this season?

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I'm loving this shift in the Premier League, it's like we're seeing two different sides of football . On one hand, you got Arsenal being super solid and defensive-minded under Arteta, but on the other hand, you got Chelsea taking risks and trying to be more aggressive with their tactics . It's interesting because I think that's what makes football so exciting - there's no right or wrong way of playing the game.

And Maresca's bold decision to keep playing with an extra man after Caicedo's red card was pure genius . It showed that Chelsea aren't afraid to take risks and trust in their players' ability to adapt under pressure. Fernández's aggressive nature is definitely starting to pay off, but yeah, he needs to work on being more mindful of the lines .

What I love about this match is that it's not just a 1-0 win or loss, it's about who came out on top in terms of spirit and resilience . And now, with Chelsea's performance, I think there's definitely a team that's going to challenge Arsenal for the title this season . It's all about how far Maresca can take his team and what kind of impact they'll have on the rest of the league .

I gotta say, that match was a real nail-biter ! Chelsea showed some major character after going down a man, and it's clear they're making some big strides under Maresca . They've got some quality players coming through in Fernández and Chalobah, and James is just on another level .

Looking at the stats, Arsenal had like 60% of possession, but Chelsea held them off pretty well . And let's be real, 3 yellow cards for Reece James? That's a lot!

But seriously, this draw is huge for Chelsea's title hopes . They're moving in the right direction, and with their squad depth and quality, I think they've got a solid chance of competing with the top teams.

Here are some fun stats:

* Chelsea had 25 shots on target, but only scored once
* Arsenal had 3 more possession wins than Chelsea in the match
* Reece James earned an average of 4.5 tackles per game this season

Maresca's tactics seem to be paying off, and I'm excited to see how they'll develop further . One thing's for sure, it's gonna be a wild ride in the Premier League this season!

I think its gonna be intresting to see how these 2 teams play against each other again Arsenal was lookin like they were coastin, but that last half they put up a good fight and Chelsea showed some real character after that red card , they didnt give up, thats for sure

I'm still trying to wrap my head around that match lol . One thing for sure, Arteta's tactics look like they need a tweak. Allowing them to coast for half was just asking for trouble and Chelsea took advantage of it . But on the other hand, Maresca's decision to keep playing with 10 men instead of withdrawing an attacker showed some balls .

I'm loving the way James is dominating midfield, he's definitely a top player now . And Fernández, I get what you're trying to do with him, but sometimes those reckless tackles have to go . On a more positive note, it's great to see Chelsea making progress under Maresca and their performance has given them hope for the title.

The contrast between Arsenal's defensive approach and Chelsea's riskier style is going to be interesting to watch . And with players like James, Fernández, and Chalobah developing, I think Chelsea have a good chance of becoming a serious contender this season .

Dude , what a match! I'm loving the way Maresca's tactics paid off despite going down a man ️. That young coach must've a knack for getting the best out of his players . Fernández is really starting to make an impact with that aggressive style, but he needs to dial it back a notch .

I'm also impressed by James' display – the guy's on fire ! But what really caught my eye was how Chelsea adapted after Caicedo went down. That plan worked like a charm . It's clear they're taking a riskier approach, but if that pays off, watch out Premier League .

Chelsea might not be the favourites anymore, but I think they've got a real shot at making some noise in the title race . Maresca's squad is looking more solid by the minute, and those young players are going to make some huge contributions this season . Bring it on!

lolololol i'm low-key freaking out right now!!! that sending off was a GENIUS move by Enzo Maresca ! I mean, you gotta admire the confidence and the willingness to take risks. And let's be real, it paid off in the end, even if it didn't result in a win . The way Chelsea adapted their strategy after Caicedo got sent off was pure gold . Fernández playing deeper in midfield made all the difference, and James' dominance in the middle of the park was unstoppable ! The thing that really got me is how Maresca's tactics are giving Chelsea a new lease on life . We're talking title ambitions here, people! can you even imagine it?

I gotta say, I'm loving the resurgence of Chelsea under Enzo Maresca ! They've gone from being the underdogs to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League . That sending off by Moisés Caicedo was pure genius, keeping them on level terms after halftime . And I mean, Trevoh Chalobah's goal was a great equalizer .

But what really stood out for me was Fernández' performance - he's definitely got the potential to be a top midfielder . And let's not forget Reece James' dominance in midfield ... that guy's on fire !

One thing I do wish Maresca would work on, though, is getting his players to be a bit more disciplined . Fernández' aggression is definitely paying off, but he needs to watch out for those yellow cards .

Overall, though? I'm loving the direction Chelsea's headed in . They've got some talented young players and Maresca's tactics are starting to pay off . Bring it on, Premier League!

I'm loving that Enzo Maresca decided to keep playing with an extra man instead of withdrawing one of his attackers... it was like he wanted to test their character, and boy, did they pass! The fact that Chelsea were able to level the score despite being a man down shows just how well they've gelled as a team. And let's be real, Reece James is just on another level right now - I mean, three yellow cards? That's dedication!

I think what's really exciting is that Chelsea are taking a riskier approach under Maresca, which can only lead to some thrilling matches down the line. And honestly, it's about time they started causing some problems for Arsenal in their title push . I'm not saying Arteta's team isn't good, but if Chelsea can keep this momentum going, watch out! ️

As a parent, I love seeing young players like Fernández and Chalobah grow into the game... it's like watching your own kid develop new skills . And let's not forget about Bukayo Saka - that goal was just pure magic !

I think it's so cool that Enzo Maresca decided to keep playing with 10 men instead of taking out one of his attackers . It was a big risk, but it paid off and showed the team's character . I'm also loving the way Reece James is doing it on the pitch - he's like a boss in midfield ! But at the same time, I do think Fernández needs to be more careful with his tackles, I don't want him to get booked too many times .

I love that Chelsea are taking a riskier approach now and not playing so defensively all the time . It's going to be interesting to see how their matches go against Arsenal who are doing things differently under Arteta . For me, it's always about seeing progress in teams like this and I think Maresca is doing a great job . Now let's see if they can keep that momentum up and become a real threat in the league !

man i'm still trying to process that 1-1 draw at arsenal chelsea looked so different from last match and it's all thanks to enzo maresca making some bold tactical decisions his young coach game changed the momentum of the match after caicedo got sent off but they couldn't capitalize on their extra man advantage still feels like they're a bit inconsistent but fernández' growth is insane he's going to be a star if he can chill out a bit and james is just a beast in midfield

OMG I'm loving this turn of events for Chelsea! They're finally showing some serious grit and determination under Enzo Maresca's coaching. That bold move to keep playing with an extra man after Moisés Caicedo got sent off was pure genius . And let's be real, Reece James is on fire ! His dominance in midfield was insane, and he totally earned those three yellow cards . But what I'm most excited about is the progress they're making under Maresca – it's clear they're adapting their strategy to play a more attacking style. This could be the start of something big for Chelsea, especially if they can stay consistent .

I'm so hyped for Chelsea right now!!! They were literally coasting at halftime and then they came back with such determination. Maresca's decision to keep playing with 10 men was so bold, but it paid off in the end. James is a total beast, I mean, three yellow cards? But seriously, he's been on fire lately and it's great to see him dominating midfield.

I'm loving the way Chelsea are playing under Maresca, they're taking risks and it's paying off. They're not just sitting back and defending, they're actually trying to create chances and win games. It's a breath of fresh air compared to Arsenal's more defensive approach.

And that draw is huge for them, it shows they can compete with the top teams in the league. I'm definitely feeling hopeful about Chelsea's title ambitions now . Can't wait to see how Maresca's team develops from here on out!

I gotta say, that young coach Enzo Maresca has got some tricks up his sleeve! His decision to keep playing with 10 men after Caicedo's red card was pure genius... I mean, who needs a defender when you've got players like James and Fernández running amok in midfield? The lad's really starting to come into form, and it's great to see Chelsea taking a riskier approach.

I'm loving the way they're adapting their strategy mid-match too. It shows that Maresca is willing to take calculated risks and try new things. And you're right, this draw might just be a turning point for them... if they can string together some wins like this, they've got a real shot at making a deep run in the title chase.

One thing I do think about, though: consistency is key. If Chelsea can keep up this level of performance week in and week out, we'll be talking about a serious contender come May.

I'm loving the way Maresca is experimenting with tactics and it's really paying off for Chelsea . I mean, taking on 10 men at halftime was a bold move, but it shows he's not afraid to take risks and adapt to the game situation. And Fernández' aggression is definitely starting to pay dividends, even if he needs to be more disciplined at times .

It's also interesting to see the contrast between Arsenal's defensive approach and Chelsea's more attacking style under Maresca. I think that's what makes this Premier League so exciting - the unpredictability of the matches and the teams' strategies .

And let's not forget, Chelsea are still a team with plenty of talented young players like James, Fernández, and Chalobah. If they can build on this momentum, there's no reason why they can't become a top-four contender... maybe even more !