The weather ensured the points were shared in this dour game at Emirates Stadium. Try as they might, the ball-players on both sides struggled to assert themselves in the wind and driving rain. And, given the dire transport situation around north London, many in the crowd must have wondered if they’d have been better off watching on TV at home.

Jose Mourinho was the happier of the two managers, making it clear in his post-match press conference that earning a draw kept Chelsea in the title hunt, whereas a defeat would have cast them five points adrift.

Indeed Chelsea's intentions were clear from the outset, the visitors adopting a defensive formation with the likes of Juan Mata and Oscar left on the bench.

Arsene Wenger was less pleased with the outcome, although he acknowledged that his team lacked a little confidence after the recent defeats by Manchester City and Napoli and that he’d settle for the current position as joint top of the league.

The turning point in the game, if there was one, emerged on 36 minutes, with a potential red card and a strong penalty claim coming in rapid succession.

First, Chelsea midfielder Mikel Jon Obi appeared to go in high with studs showing on Mikel Arteta, and then Theo Walcott appeared to be tripped in the box by Willian. The referee, Mike Dean, was well placed to see the Arteta-Mikel clash, and felt that was a strong, 50-50 challenge. Slow motion replays from different angles showed high contact on Arteta’s shin. Walcott then appeared to go down rather easily and, so whilst purists might have awarded a penalty for a trip, the referee was having none of it.

Then, out of nowhere on 33 minutes, Frank Lampard rattled the Arsenal crossbar with a volley after a cross into the area from Eden Hazard.

Beyond that, chances in the first half were scarce. Aaron Ramsey in particular had a frustrating evening by his standards, with many passes going astray in the wind and rain.

The second half began more brightly but with clear-cut chances remaining at a premium. The game threatened to boil over as Ramires was booked for another strong challenge on Arteta, closely followed into the book by Walcott and Tomas Rosicky.

Olivier Giroud should have made the breakthrough on 77 minutes when he was put through by Ramsey, but could only fire into the side netting with just Petr Cech to beat. Giroud then forced a great save from Cech at the near post with seven minutes to go after excellent work and a cross from Kieran Gibbs.

As the game petered out, Mourinho made three changes to shore up the Chelsea midfield and rearguard, bringing on Andre Schurrle, Oscar and David Luiz for Hazard, Willian and Fernando Torres.

Both teams now continue their busy Christmas periods on Boxing Day with Chelsea at home to Swansea, and Arsenal away to West Ham.