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Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville insisted that it was the right decision not to award Arsenal a first-half penalty against Chelsea.

Arsenal went into the game looking to again increase their lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. A 1-0 win over Leeds on Saturday saw City close the gap to just three points.

Things were going to plan for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with William Saliba giving them the lead from a corner in the 21st minute.

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Viktor Gyokeres had a chance to try and grab a second goal for Arsenal with time until half-time running out, when he latched onto a long ball. He came up against Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who initially won the ball, but a second challenge saw Gyokeres fall to the ground in the penalty area.

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The referee waved away appeals, with the challenge checked and cleared by VAR.

Giving his assessment on commentary, Neville said: “It looked a little too obvious, it was an awkward fall from Gyokeres.

"I don't think there's anything in it, it's a good challenge initially from Chalobah. Yeah, he dives."

To rub salt in their wounds, Arsenal were pegged back by Chelsea just a few minutes later. The Blues had wanted a penalty themselves, with the ball hitting Declan Rice on the elbow before going out for a corner, with VAR determining that the midfielder was under 'clear physical contact'.

However, from the resulting corner, the ball went in off Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie to make the scoreline 1-1 in the second minute of added time before the half-time whistle.

Delivering his verdict on the late Chelsea penalty shout and subsequent goal, former Premier League striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports at half-time: "It would have been soft if you ask me, of course the ball hits his arm, he's in a jostling match, in a physical battle.

"A great reaction from the goalkeeper, a fantastic save from him.

"That was a warning sign for Arsenal."

There was better news for Arsenal in the second half, with Mikel Arteta's side re-taking the lead through Jurrien Timber in the 66th minute. Chelsea were then reduced to ten men four minutes later with Pedro Neto shown a second yellow card.

Despite a late scare, which saw Chelsea striker Liam Delap having a goal ruled out for offside, Arsenal saw the game out to take a crucial three points.

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