Chelsea’s new star Pedro Neto delivered an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge, scoring a sensational equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
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After Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for the Gunners in the second half, Neto responded with a powerful long-range strike that rifled into the bottom corner, marking his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.
The 24-year-old, who transferred from Wolves for £54 million, has been making an impact since joining Enzo Maresca’s side. Sunday’s performance was his third consecutive full 90 minutes in league play, solidifying his role in Chelsea’s starting XI.
Despite following Neto’s progress over recent years, Arsenal ultimately decided not to pursue the winger over concerns about his injury history. However, former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes the Gunners may come to regret that decision, especially given their recent struggles with player injuries. On “Match of the Day 2,” Walcott commented, “Neto is the type of player Arsenal could have signed to give much-needed competition to their roster.”
In the second half, Neto switched to the right-hand side, allowing him to utilize his speed and draw back defenders like Jurrien Timber. Troy Deeney praised the decision, pointing out that Neto’s combination of raw speed and left-footed accuracy creates a dilemma for defenders: “When you put him on the right, full-backs like Timber have to back off, unsure if he’ll cut inside or charge down the line,” Deeney said. He added that Neto’s versatility makes him a valuable asset, able to cross, shoot, and disrupt defenses with ease.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s recent form remains a concern, with the Gunners now winless in four league games and trailing Liverpool by nine points. While they’ve faced a challenging run of fixtures, including five of last season’s top ten, Walcott feels the upcoming international break arrives at the perfect time. He hopes the break will allow key players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice—who picked up knocks on Sunday—to recover fully.
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney, however, warns that Arsenal’s title hopes may be in jeopardy if they can’t regain consistency soon. “Every game is crucial now,” Deeney stated. “If Arsenal lose another, they may fall out of the title race, putting extra pressure to beat teams like Liverpool and Manchester City down the road.”
As Arsenal’s season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if Arteta’s squad can overcome their current struggles and close the gap in the title race.
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