Arsenal staged a stunning comeback from two goals down to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Chelsea was ahead after Cole Palmer’s early penalty and Mykhailo Mudryk’s second-half goal. Mikel Arteta’s team was 13 minutes away from their first Premier League loss this season.

But Chelsea custodian Robert Sanchez messed up a pass, which let Declan Rice save the game for Arsenal. With six minutes left, Trossard scored to tie the game.

Arsenal’s hard-fought comeback made it nine games without a loss in the league, putting them in second place, one goal behind leaders Manchester City.

It was another example of the character and spirit that have been running through Arsenal for the past 18 months. These are the things that are helping them win the club’s first title since 2004.

“We didn’t play with enough purpose and clarity in the first half but the way we reacted was phenomenal,” Arteta said.

“I have no doubt about our character. I could see at half-time that we knew we had to do much better. I love that about the team. This is who we are.”

There was a huge setback for Chelsea because they were about to get their first big win under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Since 2018, Chelsea has not beaten Arsenal at home. Pochettino said, “I’m disappointed because until the 77th minute we had the game under control against an amazing team.”

“Mistakes can happen. It was unlucky because Arsenal’s first goal gave them belief. We need to know when to be calm and when to take risks. That will happen because we are still a really young team.”

Spurs took the lead in the 15th minute when William Saliba blocked Mudryk’s header with his arm stretched out.

At first, it looked like Chelsea’s penalty appeal would be turned down, but referee Chris Kavanagh gave it after VAR told him to check with the monitor on the pitch.

Palmer calmly put the penalty kick past David Raya for his second goal since joining from Manchester City earlier this season.

Palmer very nearly scored again, but his low drive from the edge of the area went wide.

When they played together at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino told Arteta not to become a coach. The Arsenal manager will be glad that Arteta didn’t listen to his advice.

They said this week that they were “like brothers” with each other. Before the game, they hugged warmly, but there wasn’t much love lost between their teams.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was called out by Marc Cucurella for some rough challenges. Three players were also booked during a rough first half.

In the 48th minute, Chelsea scored their second goal when Arsenal’s custodian didn’t see Mudryk’s mishit cross from the left flank as it flew over his head and into the far corner. Raya set it up.

Arsenal was hurt by Mudryk’s lucky goal because he turned down their offer to sign with Chelsea last season.

In recent weeks, Raya has been picked over Aaron Ramsdale, who used to be Arsenal’s first choice custodian, but he has looked very uncomfortable at times.

Raya’s latest mistake made him doubt himself, and he almost gave Chelsea another goal with a bad pass that Palmer picked off but couldn’t convert from 12 yards out.

In the 77th minute, Sanchez returned the favour with a terrible pass that Rice grabbed and slammed into the empty net from 25 yards out. It was a crucial miss.

At that moment, Chelsea looked like they were shaking, and Arteta’s team punished them in the 84th minute.

Saka sent a cross to the far post, and Trossard got there before Malo Gusto to score from close range.

Arsenal made a great comeback late, and Eddie Nketiah should have scored to seal the deal. But the striker missed a great chance to steal all three points.

Photo by EPA/DANIEL HAMBURY