Arsenal responded to deny Chelsea in a derby draw.
After Cole Palmer’s early penalty and Mykhailo Mudryk‘s second-half strike put Chelsea in control, Mikel Arteta’s club was 13 minutes away from their first Premier League defeat this season.
However, a misplaced pass from Chelsea goalie Robert Sanchez gave Arsenal a lifeline, as Trossard bundled in the equalizer with six minutes remaining.
Arsenal’s valiant comeback extended their unbeaten start to the league season to nine games, putting them second on goal difference behind champions Manchester City.
It was yet another example of the character and spirit that has been throbbing through Arsenal over the last 18 months, attributes that are underpinning the club’s drive to win its first trophy since 2004.
It was a crushing defeat for Chelsea, who were on the verge of handing Mauricio Pochettino’s first significant statement victory in command.
The Blues have not beaten Arsenal at home since 2018, and they will never have a better chance to defeat their London rivals.
Chelsea had made a lively start in the pouring rain after a minute’s quiet earlier in the day to commemorate the loss of former Manchester United and England player Bobby Charlton.
After William Saliba’s outstretched arm blocked Mudryk’s header in the 15th minute, the Blues seized the lead.
Chelsea’s penalty appeal appeared to be dismissed at first, but referee Chris Kavanagh gave it after being prompted by VAR to view the pitchside monitor.
Palmer easily blasted the penalty kick past David Raya for his second goal since joining Manchester City earlier this season.
Rice spearheaded Arsenal’s reaction, firing barely wide of the far post at an acute angle.
Late surge
Palmer came within inches of scoring again with a low shot from the edge of the area that fizzed wide.
When the two were at PSG, Pochettino advised Arteta not to go into coaching, which the Arsenal manager is glad he disregarded.
The pair, who characterized their connection as “like brothers” this week, had a warm hug before the game, but there was no love lost between their sides. Arsenal responded to deny Chelsea in a derby draw.
Marc Cucurella singled out Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka for some nasty challenges, while three players were booked in a tense first half.
Chelsea’s second goal came in the 48th minute when Raya failed to track the trajectory of Mudryk’s miscued cross from the left flank as it drifted over his head into the far corner.
Mudryk’s lucky strike was also a bitter pill for Arsenal to swallow because he turned down a move to Chelsea last season.
Raya has recently been chosen over Arsenal’s previous first-choice keeper Aaron Ramsdale, but he has appeared uneasy at times.
Raya’s confidence was rattled by his latest gaffe, and he almost gifted Chelsea another goal with a misplaced ball that Palmer intercepted but couldn’t convert from 12 yards.
It was a vital miss, as Sanchez returned the favour in the 77th minute with a terrible ball that was intercepted by Rice, who joyfully lofted his shot from 25 yards into the empty net.
Chelsea appeared nervous at times, and Arteta’s team punished them in the 84th minute.
Trossard got in front of Malo Gusto to slide home from close range after Saka curled a cross to the far post.
Arsenal’s late push should have been sealed by Eddie Nketiah, but the striker blasted wide from a good opportunity to take all three points.
