For some of the sticks Chelsea have been beaten with since the start of the season, there have been positive signs mixed in. But this was the game where the encouragement gained momentum.
There was a significant period against Arsenal where Chelsea were in control and their midfield was the central component to that. Coupled with genuine fluidity in a partly makeshift forward line, there was a Pochettino feel to what Chelsea were doing, and it made for an exciting watch.
Arsenal’s comeback was as much about the maturity born from last season, as I mentioned. Chelsea are understandably short of that growth right now.
But they have the quality and now they have some momentum. With Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Gallagher, Mudryk and Palmer all offering positives, this was a big step forward. Now they just have to keep the forward movement going.