Trevoh Chalobah gave the home side an early advantage, finishing confidently as Chelsea looked to build on their impressive momentum following a commanding 3-0 win over Barcelona earlier in the week.

Arsenal, however, showed resilience. Despite being reduced to ten men after Moisés Caicedo was sent off, the league leaders found a way back into the match.

Mikel Merino delivered the equaliser, ensuring the visitors left with a valuable point that keeps them at the top of the table.

For Chelsea, the draw maintains their place in third and extends a positive run of performances, but Maresca remained measured in his post-match assessment.

He praised his side's intensity and control across a demanding week yet stressed that expectations must remain realistic as the season progresses.

"I think sometimes you have to be happy even with one point. For sure, the target was to win the game. Again, 11v11, I think we were a better team than them," said Maresca.

"We managed the game, we controlled the game, we created chances and we didn't concede anything. Then the red card changed a little bit the dynamic, but even with that, I think the way the players dealt with that and were outstanding.

"Arsenal, they are top of Premier League, top of Champions League, best defenders in the Premier League, probably best defenders in Champions League. So, in this moment, they are the best team.

"And I think 11v11, we were better than them. Then with 10 players again, changed the dynamic. So, the effort from the players has been outstanding.

"The Man United game, the change was because Man United attacked with five players, they attacked in a different way compared to Arsenal. Most of the time you judge because of the result.

"We changed, we lost, so it was a bad change. Tonight, every time we do something, it's because in that moment we consider that it's the right thing to do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

"But for sure, the way the players dealt with the players, the effort, I told them half the time, we need to double the effort. And they were outstanding."

Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra radiant in the afterglow of AFCON triumph