6 days ago
10
Arsenal dropped points for only the second time in 12 games against Chelsea, with Gabriel Magalhaes responding to that 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge
Gabriel Magalhaes has sent a message of support to Mikel Merino after his goal in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Despite having Moises Caicedo sent off in the first half, Trevoh Chalobah put the Blues in front, though Merino equalised soon after with both teams forced to settle for a point.
Merino was involved in the challenge that saw Caicedo given his marching orders with VAR intervening to recommend a review which saw Anthony Taylor upgrade the yellow card he awarded on-field to a red.
Mikel Arteta's side were initially unable to take advantage with Chelsea instead going ahead as Chalobah headed home a Reece James corner. Bukayo Saka later provided the perfect cross for Merino to nod the equaliser past Robert Sanchez.
The visitors had chances to go in front but failed to make the most of Chelsea's man disadvantage with a share of the spoils seeing their gap at the top drop down to five points ahead of a busy December.
For Merino, it was his sixth goal contribution of the season with injuries to Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres resulting in him playing up front. He has since taken to Instagram to issue a message to supporters with Gabriel sending a heart emoji as his reply.
He said: "Take the point and make it good on Wednesday. Crazy week for the team. [golf hall and ball emoji] COYG."
Merino could come out of the starting XI for the upcoming midweek clash against Brentford with Gyokeres returning to action off the bench in west London. The Swede has now joined Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke as players back available after injury.
Gabriel, however, is still missing after suffering a groin injury on international duty with Brazil.
His centre-back partner William Saliba has since joined him in the treatment room with a minor knock in training seeing Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera deployed as Arsenal's two centre-halves against Chelsea.
On his condition, Arteta said in a press conference after the game: "I don't know [how long he will be out for]. I think he's got another test tomorrow. We'll need to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation that he had. And we'll know more with Gabi still some weeks to go."
After featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly, Gabriel Jesus was back on the bench having missed the last 10 months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
A competitive return for the Brazil international seems likely to happen this month with Arsenal playing eight times across three different competitions this month.
Arteta said of Jesus: “We have to take into account that he’s been out for 11 months, and consistency is important. We need to see how his body reacts and what else he needs.
“The squad currently provides the right balance, so that’s good. At the moment, he is very close to returning.
English (US) ·