Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Score, Grades, Reaction from London Derby

Chelsea inched closer to the Premier League title with a scoreless draw against Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

The Blues entered the weekend with a 10-point lead on Arsenal, their closest challengers, and while the Blues' performance won't be noted for its artistry or entertainment value, it will almost certainly serve as another step toward a first league title since 2010.

Following the draw, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's men remained 10 points ahead of both Arsenal and Manchester City. The Gunners are now third on goal differential but have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger still has not beaten Mourinho in 13 attempts.

Chelsea's players seemed to sense the importance of Sunday's result at full-time, celebrating enthusiastically on the pitch of their nearest pursuers. With five games to go, the Blues need only six more points to claim the trophy.

Critics might complain about the team's lack of entertainment value, but Chelsea's defence—led by veteran captain John Terry—was superb, limiting Arsenal's dangerous attack to just one shot on target, per WhoScored.com. In fact, the visitors created the better chances, despite starting without a recognised striker, and could have won two penalties in the first half.

It was not all good news for Chelsea, though, as Oscar left the match at half-time with a suspected concussion, per Sky Sports (h/t ESPN FC).

Up next, Chelsea play at Leicester City on Wednesday. Arsenal, who had won eight straight league matches before Sunday, visit Hull City next Monday.

Ahead of kick-off, Mourinho made an intriguing selection with his starting line-up, failing to name a recognised striker in the first XI. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas made his first appearance at Arsenal, his former club, since joining Chelsea last summer.

Both teams started brightly, but the first clear chance did not arrive until just after the quarter-hour mark—with it came controversy. 

In the 16th minute, Fabregas lofted a pass over Arsenal's defence, sending Oscar clear. The Brazilian beat goalkeeper David Ospina to the ball and flicked a bouncing effort on target, only to see Hector Bellerin head clear off the line.

Ospina clattered into Oscar on the play, prompting Chelsea to appeal for a penalty—and perhaps even a red card—against the Gunners stopper. But referee Michael Oliver denied Chelsea's claims, awarding only a corner.

The decision generated plenty of discussion on Twitter:

"

Not a red because the ball’s gone, but it’s a stonewall pen.

— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) April 26, 2015"

Chelsea appealed for another penalty in the 23rd minute, when Fabregas went to ground following contact in the box with Santi Cazorla.

Oliver waved off their protests again, instead booking Fabregas for simulation.

It was Arsenal's turn to ask for a penalty in the 34th minute, when Bellerin pulled back a pass into the middle for Cazorla, whose first-time shot struck Gary Cahill's outstretched hand as the Chelsea defender slid to block. Despite the home side's protests, Oliver waved play on again.

Chelsea created another clear chance in the 38th minute as Willian arrowed in toward the box before slicing open Arsenal's defence with a pass through to Ramires. The latter took a touch before flicking a low shot on target, but Ospina saved.

Arsenal carved out a pair of half-chances shortly before half-time. In the 40th minute, Alexis Sanchez dragged a shot wide of the post following Cazorla's pullback from the byline. Four minutes later, Mesut Ozil turned in the box and fired straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who saved.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Half-time saw Mourinho introduce striker Didier Drogba in place of Oscar, who left the stadium and headed to a local hospital following his collision with Ospina, per Sports Illustrated.

Arsenal began the second half holding the edge in possession but struggled to break down Chelsea's organised defensive ranks. Chelsea, meanwhile, had a look at goal in the 66th minute, when Drogba rolled a low shot from outside the box straight at Ospina.

Two minutes later, an Arsenal free-kick fell to centre-back Per Mertesacker in an inviting position in the box. The German managed to put a shot through the crowded box, but the ball rolled well wide of the post.

Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny created a moment of danger in the 76th minute, surging forward to win possession before squaring to Cazorla along the edge of the box. The Spaniard spun and shot, but the ball fizzed off target again.

Knowing a draw would do his side no good, Wenger introduced Danny Welbeck into the attack in the 76th minute, bringing off defensive-minded midfielder Francis Coquelin. Welbeck made a positive contribution in the 82nd minute, forcing Courtois to save his deflected cross from a tight angle on the right.

Wenger made another change six minutes before full-time, as the speedy Theo Walcott replaced Olivier Giroud. The move proved ineffective, with Arsenal only creating one more half-chance in stoppage time, when a Nacho Monreal cross narrowly evaded Ozil and Welbeck.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
David Ospina	6.7
Hector Bellerin	7.6
Per Mertesacker	7.4
Laurent Koscielny	7.7
Nacho Monreal	7.3
Santi Cazorla	7.1
Francis Coquelin	7.5
Aaron Ramsey	6.2
Mesut Ozil	7.7
Alexis Sanchez	6.6
Olivier Giroud	6.2
Danny Welbeck (for Coquelin, 76')	6.2
Theo Walcott (for Giroud, 84')	6.0

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Thibaut Courtois	6.8
Branislav Ivanovic	6.9
Gary Cahill	7.1
John Terry	7.4
Cesar Azpilicueta	8.2
Cesc Fabregas	6.9
Nemanja Matic	7.7
Ramires	7.5
Willian	7.3
Eden Hazard	6.9
Oscar	6.2
Didier Drogba (for Oscar, 46')	6.4
Kurt Zouma (for Fabregas, 90')	6.0
Juan Cuadrado (for Willian, 90')	6.0

Reaction

Chelsea captain John Terry, according to BBC Sport:

"

It is a big step to where we want to go. Its not done mathematically but it's a big step. Listen, Arsenal are a very good side and they have world-class players but we nullified them.

Everyone expected us to come and sit like we did against Manchester United but we gave it a go in the first half. Second half we kept the ball more. The referee got all of the decisions right I thought.

We are almost there but we have a tough game against Leicester on Wednesday. It's in our hands.

"

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport):

"

We gave everything, had a couple of chances and defended well. It was a good performance, but not enough to get the vital three points we needed to compete for first place. 

We deserved the point, but could have done better in the final third. We lacked the final pass maybe. I had a chance but I rushed myself.

I thought the referee did a great job—he concentrated on his job.

Maybe the title is gone but you never know, we will stay there until the end.

"

Follow @MiguelCominguez