Mikel Arteta hails determination as Arsenal fight back for draw

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his side’s belief after they fought back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 English Premier League draw at Chelsea on Saturday and keep their unbeaten streak intact.

For much of the match, the Gunners’ usually buoyant and confident side looked heavy-footed and slow against an energetic Chelsea team who had the crowd behind them at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues went ahead though a 15th-minute Cole Palmer penalty and made it two three minutes into the second half with a lofted strike by Mykhailo Mudryk.

“The way the players reacted to the second goal is phenomenal,” Arteta said, after a miscued pass from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Declan Rice to give his team a lifeline and Leandro Trossard bundled home the leveller with six minutes left.

“That’s the part I loved. The start of the game, we didn’t play with enough purpose and clarity. We didn’t win enough duels in tight areas... and when we don’t have those two things we become an average team.

“But I have no doubt about our character. Even though we conceded in a situation like the goal of Mudryk, we kept going and the players did exactly what we asked of them, that you never give up and we continued to go and go.”

Arsenal’s gritty comeback extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to nine games, leaving them in second place behind leaders Manchester City on goal difference.

It was another display of the character and spirit pulsing through the Gunners over the last 18 months, qualities that are underpinning their bid to finally win the club’s first title since 2004.

For Chelsea, it was a hammer blow after they were on the brink of delivering the first significant victory of Mauricio Pochettino’s maiden season in charge.

The Blues manager, who has a close relationship with Arteta after the two played together for Paris Saint-Germain more than 20 years ago, said the result was two points lost rather than a point gained against a top side.

He believed that until Rice scored his goal, Chelsea were in complete control.

“His goal gave the belief to Arsenal with 13 minutes to play,” Pochettino said. “Because until the 77th minute, the game was in control and we didn’t concede too many chances. I feel disappointed because we drop two points.”

However, the Argentinian added that he did not want to dwell on Sanchez’s error.

“We watch football every week and always there are mistakes because football is about mistakes. I think 90 per cent of goals is because an opponent makes a mistake,” he said.

“We can only criticise a little bit reading the game better, better tempo, the timing. We can take risks because it’s our philosophy but make better decisions.”

Chelsea climbed to 10th on 12 points after the draw, while Arsenal are on 21 points, level with City who beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1. REUTERS, AFP