There were few clear opportunities for either side at the Emirates. Arsenal started the brighter and Mikel Merino headed in a corner, but Chelsea grew into the contest and fought hard in search of an equaliser, Marc Cucurella coming closest to finding one.

Afterwards, Maresca reflected on how the game panned out and underlined where it was won and lost.

‘We struggled a little bit at the beginning, the first 20 minutes,’ said Maresca. ‘After that we started to control the game and create some chances.

‘The game was 50/50 in the second half. The big difference was set-piece strategy. We competed well, the game was there. They scored a set-piece, they are masters at that. It is a shame, but my feeling is that we are going in the right direction.’

Maresca had to make do without Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, which understandably affected blue's attacking play. He hopes to have them all available again after the international break.

‘It makes a huge difference. The three players with the most goals for us were not on the pitch today. It’s normal offensively we can struggle a little bit, even if until today we are the third best attack in the league.

‘That means in any case we are doing well without those players, but we can do better with the players who are injured at this moment.’

It was another closely-contested game with the Gunners following the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Maresca is confident his Chelsea team are not far off Arsenal as they look to finish the campaign in one of the Champions League places.

‘What I can say about the first game against Arsenal and today’s game, I don’t see a big difference between us and them,’ he stated.

‘Since I arrived, I have the feeling we are in the right path, and we are very close. Probably we just need that step forward to compete in these kind of games, but that step comes also with finishing in a Champions League spot.’