While Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were entering a fixture notorious for red cards and controversy after their 6-0 victory over Qarabag on Tuesday night, Arsenal were in very uncharted territory as they would get their first taste of what a Europa League hangover really feels like.
A 0-0 draw away to Chelsea, who finished the game with 10-men yet again and failed to score at home for the first time under Conte, is far from disastrous for Arsene Wenger’s team, but will count himself unlucky with chances squandered.
While it was a day for famous faces in West London, there were plenty of talking points that you might have missed. Sportsmail’s Jaime Wright brings you all the unseen action.
1. Return of the king
While his playing days are not quite finished, as former skipper John Terry continues to keep his experienced boots busy at Championship side Aston Villa, the 36-year-old looked right at home at his former stomping ground.
Terry, who admitted he would never player against his former employers before joining the Villains, would have enjoyed the occasion which is never short of controversy.
Former Chelsea captain John Terry was able to enjoy a stress-free fixture against Arsenal
2. You had one job…
It’s nobody’s position to judge, but the Arsenal Twitter account managers will be having words with their social media whizzes on Monday after a calamitous error.
You had one job, as the saying goes, one job. Do the team line-up. But the poor employee got this job all wrong as club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette and Danny Welbeck found themselves in a role-swap.
There’s only one thing to do here… Blame the work experience.
Posted by Arsenal’s Twitter, their original teamsheet featured Danny Welbeck leading the line
But was quickly rectified by management, but not quick enough it would seem
3. Sanchez mocks Lacazette
Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez gives the best tutorial to getting over an easy miss. Just laugh it off.
Frenchman Lacazette has had no trouble at all adapting to the Premier League, scoring two in his first four, but his new team-mates will be unlikely to let the striker forget on particular moment as his attempt at an open goal went blazing over the bar. Not least by Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean striker showed no sympathy for the Frenchman, who was preferred to lead the line for the Gunners, as he laughs and gestures with David Ospina.
Could Sanchez be feeling a bit smug as he was reduced to the bench? Evidently so by the way he seems to grin at manager Wenger.
Alexis Sanchez shows no sympathy for Lacazette’s squandered open goal opportunity
But instead persists in mocking the French striker with team-mate David Ospina from the substitutes bench, and you get the feeling this won’t be forgotten too quickly by the Chilean
4. Role reversal
When was the last time Arsenal and Chelsea drew 0-0 at the Bridge? 2005.
A fun fact, that would test even the brightest of the sports enthusiasts among us. But the real talking point comes from Petr Cech and Cesc fabregas.
The pair were both in action in this fixture 12 years ago, but for the opposing teams.
Cesc Fabregas and Petr Cech were both in action in the last 0-0 draw at the Bridge
5. Premature celebrations
What’s worse than being escorted off the premises for a pitch invasion? A simple answer as this fan demonstrated.
One lucky – or now not so lucky fan – found his way onto the pitch as Shkodran Mustafi thought he had snatched the points for the Gunners.
But the linesman’s flag brought a halt to the celebrations and to this particular fan’s day at the Bridge.
One positive that came out of this? The Arsenal man was able to taunt the home supporters as he was escorted off the pitch. Silver linings.
One lucky Arsenal supporter made his way to celebrate Shkodran Mustafi’s (disallowed) goal
6. Blues’ star-studded cast
It wasn’t just ex professionals in attendance as Stamford Bridge played host to a variety of big names.
Channing Tatum, Steph Curry and Seb Coe. Only a football ground could bring together such a combination.
The only things that would have made this even more worth-while would be if they enjoyed the ocassion as a trio.
Channing Tatum became a Blue for the day as he – and Steph Curry – were in the stands
7. 973 not out
Failure to win at Stamford Bridge brings yet more records for Wenger, and they’re all unwanted as usual.
Following the goalless stalemate, Wenger’s team have now failed to win away from home against a top six side in 973 days and will be equally frustrated given the Blues finished with 10-men, Mustafi’s potential winner was ruled out and Lacazette missed a sitter.
Arsene Wenger’s side are now failed to beat a top six side away in 973 days following the draw