Mikel Arteta proud of Arsenal's spirit after 'demanding a reaction' vs Chelsea
Mikel Arteta has praised Arsenal's spirit after his 10-man Gunners twice fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
Hector Bellerin equalised three minutes after opposing captain Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had claimed a victory for Chelsea with a neat late finish.
Azpilicueta turned home Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross with six minutes to play to spark delirium in Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard's men took a 2-1 lead.
Jorginho coolly converted his second penalty in three matches after David Luiz was sent off for hauling down Tammy Abraham just when the Chelsea striker was about to tap into an empty net.
Gabriel Martinelli pounced on a rare N'Golo Kante error to drag Arsenal level after the break however, and for large swathes this match appeared destined for a 1-1 draw despite Arsenal playing with 10 men since the 26th minute.
Azpilicueta and Bellerin thought differently, but in the eventual, breathless shake-up, Chelsea will wind up by far the more frustrated - especially given Arsenal looked far more dangerous after the break despite their one-man disadvantage.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Arteta said: "I saw a reaction which I had demanded from them - not to give up, no matter what happens.
"We never are to give up, no matter what happens we have to do what we have to do and in the spirit we played.
"I talked about the team needing to step up when someone makes a mistake and that is what they did.
"I said to them I wanted to know how they would play against a team like this in this stadium, a team who want to fight to stay in the race for the Champions League.
"It is a good point at the end of the game."
Additional reporting by PA.
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