David Luiz was sent off for Chelsea

For the third time in as many games, Chelsea had a man sent off against Arsenal. This time it was David Luiz for a wild, high tackle on Sead Kolasinac in the 88th minute.

He followed Victor Moses, sent off in the FA Cup final, and Pedro, sent off in the Community Shield, and he can have no complaints.

At least Chelsea didn’t lose this time. But in truth they were lucky not to, with Arsenal the better team even before the red card.

It was the fourth time this season the Blues have had a player sent off, and that is something Conte will have to address.

Luiz gave an interview in the Chelsea programme saying: “I think experience helps you prepare for the emotion of big games.

“I have played in many of these kinds of matches so I know you have to keep your emotion under control, be intelligent. You cannot cross the line.”

So quite what he was doing when he dived in on Kolasinac is anybody’s guess, but he left referee Michael Oliver with little chance but to send him off.

Arsenal should have led by then though. Danny Welbeck and Alex Lacazette both missed great chances, and this result will give them confidence that they can still mount a title challenge.

After their 4-0 humiliation at Liverpool there were plenty who doubted that, but this was the sort of away performance they have been crying out for for years.

Nine times Arsenal had visited Chelsea. Nine times they had conceded first. Not this time. This time they didn’t concede an inch.

David Luiz was given a straight red for his challenge on Sead Kolisanec

The reigning champions faced more resistance from a disciplined, determined Gunners side than Cologne fans trying to get into the home section of the Emirates did last week from the stewards.

Arsenal were huge underdogs despite winning the previous two meetings between the teams, in the Shield game and in last season’s FA Cup triumph.

And though they were under plenty of early pressure, the best two chances of a blistering start to the game fell to Wenger’s men.

Hector Bellerin was the provider both times, crossing first for Danny Welbeck to head just wide and then for Alex Lacazette to test Thibaut Courtois.

Shkodran Mustafi had a goal disallowed for offside

Kolasinac, so good against Cologne in the Champions League, forced Courtois into another stop before Chelsea threatened through Pedro.

Arsenal old boy Cesc Fabregas sprung him with a ball over the top and Pedro should have done better, with Petr Cech blocking his attempted chip.

Aaron Ramsey hit the post before the half was over, weaving and wriggling his way through before beating Courtois for what looked for all the world like the opening goal.

When the ball rebounded back out to Lacazette, who has looked so clinical this season, he somehow managed to spoon it over from just four yards.

Eden Hazard came on off the bench for Chelsea

There was plenty of blood and thunder with Pedro coming off at half time after a crunching tackle from Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny needing treatment after a stray boot from David Luiz.

Shkodran Mustafi thought he had made the breakthrough when he headed home a 75th minute free kick, but his effort was ruled out by the linesman’s flag.

By then both Hazard and Sanchez were on the pitch as both managers rolled the dice looking for a winner, but chances were few and far between.

The Belgian fashioned one quick chance, skipping away from Granit Xhaka and darting goalwards in a dangerous area, but Cech held his tame shot with ease.

And when Luiz got himself sent off for a wild lunge at Kolasinac, Arsenal threw everything into their search for a late winner but ended up having to make do with their first point here in six years.