Pedro Neto Saves Chelsea with Late Equalizer as Arsenal's Title Hopes Take Another Hit

After suffering a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, Arsenal's recent form has taken a hit with just three wins in their last nine league games, including a loss to Newcastle last weekend.

Chasing a first title since 2004 after finishing second to Manchester City in each of the past two seasons, Arsenal lack the fluency that carried them so close to the trophy last term.

The north Londoners' only wins in their last seven matches in all competitions came against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston in the League Cup.

Maresca has repeatedly claimed he does not believe Chelsea are ready to challenge for the title, but the Italian has laid impressive foundations since arriving at the underachieving club in the close season.

Although they were unable to secure a first home win against Chelsea for six years, Maresca's young team appear to be heading in the right direction at last.

Cole Palmer, the jewel in Maresca's crown, quickly forced David Raya into action with a 25-yard drive that the Arsenal keeper tipped over.

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Astutely dropping deep to take possession in midfield, Palmer led several Chelsea counter-attacks that had Arteta fretting on the touchline as Malo Gusto's shot was blocked and Noni Madueke's header looped wide.

Gusto should have put Chelsea ahead midway through the first half when Neto teased Ben White with some nimble footwork before whipping in a pin-point cross that the defender somehow headed over from close range.

Chelsea had imposed their will on Arsenal with a tenacious display featuring some bruising challenges.

But their propensity for overplaying from their own goal kicks nearly proved fatal when Levi Colwill's sloppy pass led to Martinelli forcing a good stop from Robert Sanchez.

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Martin Odegaard started his first Arsenal game since August 31 after returning from an ankle injury as a late substitute against Inter in midweek.

Odegaard seemed to have laid on Arsenal's opener when his quick free-kick found Kai Havertz, who slotted past Sanchez in the 32nd minute.

But Havertz's celebrations were curtailed by a VAR check that showed the former Chelsea striker was offside by the narrowest of margins.

Despite that narrow escape, Chelsea had enjoyed a strong spell and they went close to earning a tangible reward when Wesley Fofana volleyed just over from Madueke's cross early in the second half.

Arsenal kept plugging away and snatched the lead on the hour.

Surrounded by defenders on the edge of the Chelsea area, Odegaard cleverly worked just enough space to clip a sublime pass to the unmarked Martinelli and the Brazilian's close-range strike beat Sanchez too easily at his near post.

It was exactly the sort of magical moment that Arsenal had so sorely missed in Odegaard's absence.

Suitably inspired by his captain, Jurrien Timber almost doubled Arsenal's lead with a buccaneering run that end with a low drive that whistled just wide.

But Arsenal's lead was short-lived as Maresca's tactical switch paid dividends in the 70th minute.

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Moving Neto from the left to the right flank allowed the Portugal winger to cut inside for a blistering low strike that arrowed into the bottom corner from 25 yards and left Arteta holding his head in frustration.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)