Alessia Russo scored a late equaliser to earn Arsenal a point as Women’s Super League champions Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in the competition to a record-equalling 33 matches.
Arsenal looked to be heading to a fourth successive WSL loss against their London rivals after Alyssa Thompson scored her first league goal for the Blues.
But Russo bundled the ball past England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the 87th minute to delight the majority of the crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
And there was still time for more drama as Frida Maanum slotted past Hampton in the 90th minute, only to be denied by an offside flag. Replays showed the decision was incredibly tight.
The draw means Chelsea equalled the WSL record for successive unbeaten matches they set under Emma Hayes from February 2019 to January 2021.
With Hayes – now managing the United States – watching from the stands, American Thompson showed exactly why Chelsea spent close to £1m on her in the summer.
A day after her 21st birthday, Thompson showed an impressive burst of pace to leave Mariona Caldentey before linking well with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. After receiving the return pass in the box, Thompson lifted a beautiful shot over the helpless Daphne van Domselaa.
Before that, Chelsea had struck the post through Rytting Kaneryd.
Stina Blackstenius thought she had smashed the Gunners level eight minutes into the second half, but referee Melissa Burgin controversially disallowed the goal for handball.
Chelsea remain top of the WSL – two points ahead of Manchester City – with Arsenal five points adrift.
