Granit Xhaka sends message to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta over his position after Chelsea

Arsenal secured a comeback draw against Chelsea with 10 men and afterwards Granit Xhaka had a message for boss Mikel Arteta over where he should play.

The Gunners came into the game knowing a defeat to Chelsea would leave them 13 points off the top-four positions and likely end their hopes of securing Champions League football this season via the league.

And they didn’t get off to a great start, as after just 26 minutes David Luiz clattered into the back of Tammy Abraham in the box and Jorginho duly scored from the spot to give the Blues the lead.

Arteta changed his mind about bringing Rob Holding on and instead took the decision to drop Xhaka into the back-four, where the 27-year-old put in a great performance for his side as they came back to draw 2-2.

After the game Xhaka was not only quick to praise his team-mates for the character they showed to stay in the game but also for twice coming from behind to secure a draw.

However, the Switzerland international did admit he hopes he won’t have to play as a defender too often.

"We played very well after the red card,” Xhaka said.

So difficult, but we showed great team spirit.

We were speaking at half time that we can do it and we came twice back so I am very proud of this team.

"After this game nobody will have to speak about us. We showed big character.

“A lot of people say we have no character in the team, so after this game we showed we have.

"I hope centre-back is not my new position, but the gaffer knows I can play there.

“I tried to help the team, and the guys around me made it easy for me today."

However, after the game Arteta hinted Xhaka could find himself being played at the back more often

From day one I spoke with him,” Arteta said.

“I tried to convince him this was the right place for him and everything I ask he’s willing to do.

“I don’t know how good he was going to be at centre-back.”

Chelsea controlled most of the possession but failed to be clinical with their chances, as only eight of their 19 shots were on target.

Arsenal meanwhile only managed two shots all game, with both attempts finding the back of the net.

Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners hope just past the hour mark, when he found himself given room to run off a clearance from a Chelsea corner.

The Blues got caught out having committed too many men forward for the set-piece and when N'Golo Kante slipped inside the centre circle, the 18-year-old had a free run at the Chelsea goal.

Martinelli was unfazed by the pressure and calmly slotted the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga to score his tenth goal of the season.

However, Chelsea club captain Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had secured all three points for boss Frank Lampard, when he poked the ball home from six yards with six minutes left in the game, but Arsenal had not given up.

Three minutes after conceding Gunners captain Hector Bellerin, who was making his first appearance since December 5, found himself pushing into the Blues penalty box with Chelsea defenders seemingly happy to show him onto his weaker foot.

The right-back then took the opportunity to shoot and curled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net to secure Arsenal a spirited point