Chelsea had to settle for a point at Stamford Bridge, where David Luiz was sent off.
Luiz was red-carded for a challenge on Sead Kolasinac with three minutes of the derby remaining.
Both teams had chances, the best of which fell to Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette four minutes before half-time.
Aaron Ramsey dribbled into the Chelsea penalty area, sneaking between Cesar Azpilicueta and Luiz, and after the Welshman’s shot came back off the post an off-balance Lacazette contrived to hook the ball over the bar from five yards out.
Earlier, Danny Welbeck and Pedro had good opportunities to score.
Gunners striker Welbeck headed wide from close range after being found by Hector Bellerin’s right-wing cross.
And Pedro was denied by Arsenal’s former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech after being put through by Cesc Fabregas’ pass.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead with 15 minutes remaining when Shkodran Mustafi found the net, but the defender was well offside before heading in Granit Xhaka’s free-kick.
Chelsea were disappointing in the second half despite the introduction of the fit-again Eden Hazard, who had a shot saved by Cech.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro (Bakayoko 45), Morata (Christensen 89), Willian (Hazard 69).
Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Zappacosta, Batshuayi.
This post was last modified on 17/09/2017