Analysis: Neto the only bright attacker
- Published
Chelsea's longest scoring run in the Premier League (13 games) ended with a another flat performance.
After their 3-1 defeat at Leeds on Wednesday, the Blues failed to score for the first time in any competition since the opening-day of the season in a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
Returning forward Cole Palmer looked short of match fitness. Alejandro Garnacho barely threatened, apart from hitting the post. Liam Delap struggled before going off injured. If anything was going to happen, it was through Pedro Neto.
The Portugal international created Chelsea's best chances, setting up Marc Cucurella and Delap in the first half, before testing the goalkeeper himself and crossing for Garnacho's header against the post after the break.
Substitutes Marc Guiu, Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian made little impact.
This is out of step with Chelsea, who have generally fallen short of Arsenal because of their defence, despite being talked about as title challengers just a week ago.
Delap's injury and a sub-par attacking display present a new problem for Chelsea to solve despite a clean sheet.
"We are going to try to score on Tuesday, but it is important to keep a clean sheet," Maresca said ahead of a trip to face Atalanta in the Champions League.