You could sense afterwards the performance was far more important than the result.
For once Arsenal dug in, showed a bit of heart and determination when all too often in the recent past they have been too ready to wave the white flag of surrender.
That is why Arsene Wenger was much happier with his players and their level of commitment than most managers would be after a goalless draw.
Arsenal were unrecognisable from Anfield last month when they shipped four goals without so much as a fight and descended into yet another crisis.
If they are to have a half decent season then it was vital they delivered some sort of response and defiance at Stamford Bridge otherwise you could write them off for another year.
They did not improve the record away from home in the big games - they have still won just three in their last 27 games against their top four rivals - and most Arsenal fans went to Chelsea fearing the worst, almost resigned to their fate.
But what they got was a clear message, a statement of intent and the biggest indication yet that Arsenal, even though they look short of being title challengers, will be in the mix for the top four.
Chelsea, in contrast, could not produce the moment of magic to unlock Arsenal’s resolute defence and perhaps the biggest worry was Alvaro Morata’s rather lacklustre performance.
Without Diego Costa, Chelsea lack a goal threat, a nasty streak and the ability to wind up and get behind defenders.
Finally, Chelsea’s patience snapped in the 87th minute when David Luiz, who spent most of the second half playing on the edge, completely lost the plot, went in with an over-the-top challenge on Sead Kolasinac and was sent off.
Arsenal will take that as the biggest compliment of all that they got under the skin of the champions, did not give them an inch and Chelsea finished with ten men after a fifth red card in their last eight games.
It was an intense, enthralling and committed London derby. There were very few clear cut chances, it swung first in Chelsea’s favour, Arsenal then dominated, Chelsea came back and the visitors probably just shaded it but will be happy to make and take their point.
Perhaps it was telling that Arsenal were so much better without Mesut Ozil because, with the Germany midfielder out with a knee injury, they played with more intensity and did not have to take any passengers when the going got tough.
Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck worked incredibly hard to support Alexandre Lacazette. Welbeck should have scored but headed wide from Hector Bellerin’s 16th minute cross.
Chelsea could have gone ahead in the 21st minute when Cesc Fabregas put Pedro through, the Chelsea winger raced clear but Arsenal keeper Petr Cech raced off his line and made a terrific block.
Arsenal pressed high, they went hunting in numbers, closed down Chelsea and did not give them an inch. At the other end, Shkodran Mustafi had a terrific game, he had a brilliant duel with Morata which he won hands down.
Arsenal’s best chance of the whole game came after 41 minutes when Aaron Ramsey made a brilliant run from midfield, broke into the box and his shot hit a post. Lacazette inexplicably skied the rebound over the crossbar from close range.
Tiemoue Bakayoko came on at half time for Pedro, Chelsea looked stronger in midfield and the tide began to turn. Eden Hazard came on and you began to think Chelsea would nick it but Arsenal held firm even as the game became scrappy and disjointed.
Mustafi headed the ball into the net after 75 minutes but it was ruled out for offside. Hazard made a brilliant solo run before Cech denied him with a brilliant save four minutes later.
Luiz provided the headlines by getting himself sent off after 87 minutes. The temperamental Brazilian finally lost it after a few ding-dongs with Kolasinac. But his red card rules him out for three games and is a serious blow to Chelsea’s title defence.