Enzo Maresca has new Chelsea undroppable as Noni Madueke change considered

A moment of magic. That was what Chelsea needed to break down a stubborn Arsenal defence on Sunday.

A moment of inspiration. Yes, the Gunners should not have allowed Pedro Neto that space but the run itself is a clever one. The ball from Enzo Fernandez is a smart one. And then the shot is a tremendous one, an unstoppable one.

"I'm really pleased to help the team," Neto said in the aftermath of Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. "This is a group that works really hard every day, so to help the team makes me really happy. It's really special [to score in a London derby]. I hope to continue this consistency.

"I remember Enzo received the ball, he looked at me straight away and I knew what he wanted me to do. I took a touch and I shot right away, and I'm really happy to see it hit the net."

A goal that Chelsea deserved for the way they played - albeit not at their very best but did enough for a point - and one that Neto himself deserved. Starting on the left-hand side, the Portugal international ran Ben White ragged before being switched onto the opposite wing in the second-half - much to Noni Madueke's unhappiness after the England international was taken off for Mykhailo Mudryk.

When Neto switched wings, he really came to life. After powering home his first Premier League goal for the Blues, the 24-year-old continued to impress and was a constant threat on the right wing.

In stoppage time, he produced a wonderful cross that was somehow not met by anyone in a blue shirt despite being inches from both Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer. Any sort of touch from either and it would have almost certainly been the winning goal.

Even before he switched to the right, Neto was causing Arsenal all sorts of problems from the left. In the 24th minute, Neto was out on the left and trying to create a bit of space for himself to whip the ball into a crowded penalty area. White was the man marking the winger, and a bit of trickery from Neto's quick feet ended up seeing the Portugal international put the ball on a plate for Malo Gusto, who could only head over under pressure from Gabriel Martinelli.

On another day, Neto really could have had himself a couple of assists to go along with his goal. His performance on the right wing will cause some problems for Madueke as well in the long run.

Madueke started the season in excellent form but has tailed off a bit in recent games - leaving some supporters questioning his role within the side. Also, Enzo Maresca's comments earlier this season suggest that he sees Neto playing on the right wing in the long-term for the Blues.

"As left wingers, we have Jadon [Sancho] and Misha [Mudryk]," Maresca said. "As right wingers, we have Noni and Pedro. As attacking midfielders, we have Joao Felix and Cole.

"As a No.9, we have Nicolas [Jackson], Christo and Marc [Guiu]. We do not have so many players, we have two players for each position."

Up until now, the majority of Neto's football at Chelsea has been played on the left wing. But after his cameo on the other side on Sunday evening, could we be about to see the Portuguese winger unleashed in the position where a lot of supporters want to see more of him?

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