Arsenal must follow last season's example to catch Liverpool but Martin Odegaard return offers real hope

After this draw at Chelsea, Arsenal know they will have to go on a winning streak if they are to claw themselves back into this title race.

The gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool is nine points and, while that is not insurmountable given it is only November, they will still take some catching.

Arsenal showed last season they can go on runs, winning 16 of their final 18 league games.

They will need something similar now when they return from the international break - and with Martin Odegaard back fit, they will believe they can.

The midfielder made his first start here since injuring his ankle playing for Norway at the start of September. It was a shock to see him in from the off, given he only made his comeback on Wednesday night by playing just the final few minutes in the 1-0 loss to Inter Milan.

Perhaps, it was due to the magnitude of this game that Mikel Arteta threw Odegaard in - but the Norwegian showed why.

Somehow, he managed to get through the whole game and, unsurprisingly, it was he who created Arsenal’s only goal. It was the sort of pass the Gunners have not played for months. Starved of Odegaard’s creativity, their attack has become stagnant.

Before today, they had scored six goals in their last six games - with three of those coming in a Carabao Cup win at Preston.

Odegaard’s return should change that and it was his vision that put Arsenal in front against Chelsea.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, he dinked it over the Blues defence and found Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian finished from a tight angle and, if Arsenal could hold out for the final 30 minutes, their title bid would have the shot in the arm it needed.

Pedro Neto hit back 10 minutes later, though, smashing one in from the outside the box to score a goal that meant this game finished honours even.

That was not really what Arsenal needed or wanted. They will still believe they are in this title rice and are, at least, just four points off Manchester City in second.

Arsenal have also ticked off many of their toughest away games. Trips to Aston Villa, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham are all in the rearview mirror.

Ahead of them, is a kinder schedule. Arteta’s side only leave London once before the turn of the year, when they travel to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League later this month.

Other than that, Arsenal will be at Emirates Stadium or elsewhere in the capital. And, with Odegaard back, there is hope that brighter days are ahead.