Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: Blues maintain on for draw regardless of Moises Caicedo's first-half purple card in stormy London derby • The Tycoon Herald

Chelsea held on for a 1-1 draw in opposition to Premier League leaders Arsenal regardless of Moises Caicedo’s first-half purple card in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo had a yellow card upgraded to a purple following a VAR verify for a studs-up problem on Mikel Merino as he grew to become the fourth Chelsea participant to be despatched off this season.

Regardless of being diminished to 10 males, Enzo Maresca’s aspect went in entrance straight after half-time when Trevoh Chalobah flicked a Reece James nook past David Raya with a near-post header.

Arsenal discovered a leveller when Bukayo Saka twisted and turned on the right-hand aspect of the Chelsea field and dug out a cross for makeshift striker Merino to move into the nook.

At that time, with half an hour nonetheless to play in opposition to 10 males, it appeared Arsenal had been well-placed to go on and win the sport however they struggled to carve out clear possibilities.

They went closest to a winner by means of Merino, who drew a pointy save from Robert Sanchez from the sting of the field, however that was one among solely eight pictures to Chelsea’s 11 because the hosts defended resolutely.

The Gunners had been with out each first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes for less than the second time in 162 league matches and risked taking place to 10 males themselves, receiving six bookings, together with 4 within the stormy first interval.

Chelsea continued to pour ahead on the break within the latter phases, with substitute Liam Delap forcing a save from Raya, however the dwelling followers celebrated the hard-earned level on the last whistle, albeit ruing what may need been had Caicedo not been despatched off.

The draw means Arsenal’s lead on the prime of the Premier League is reduce from six to 5 factors, with Manchester Metropolis having moved above Chelsea into second because of their win over Leeds on Saturday.

WATCH: The important thing moments

Caicedo’s rashness pricey for Chelsea

It was clear from early within the sport that Caicedo was fired up. There was a shove on Merino after he prevented a fast free-kick. He was lucky to not be punished for a shoulder barge into the again of Jurrien Timber not lengthy afterwards.

Caicedo was on the sting, maybe together with his hotly anticipated midfield battle in opposition to Declan Rice in thoughts, however Chelsea wanted cool heads. His overenthusiasm spilled into downright recklessness when he went studs up into Merino’s ankle for his purple card.

The sending-off left Chelsea in a well-recognized place. Not less than that they had obtained some observe in taking part in with 10 males. However they had been the higher aspect earlier than it. A battling level draw may need been a win had it not been for Caicedo’s rush of blood to the pinnacle.

The ill-discipline undermined them. And never for the primary time this season. Maresca must eradicate the difficulty rapidly.

Maresca: 11 vs 11, we had been higher

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to Sky Sports activities: “I think we showed we are heading in the right direction.

“I at all times say the identical. The efficiency has been incredible.

“We were a much better team than them 11 vs 11 but with 10 players, it is difficult but we dealt with it outstandingly.

“11 vs 11, we had been higher than them.

“We tried to exploit the best solution, the best space. We knew the space was for Malo [Gusto] and Estevao on that side. Tonight we can be happy even if we didn’t win.

Arteta: A proper London derby

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in his press conference: “I believe it was a very correct London derby. Actually intense.

“You could sense from the beginning that every duel, every action had something on it.

“Two groups very keen to win and never a lot soccer. It was loads of restarts, loads of free-kicks, loads of yellow playing cards, so not loads of fluidity.

“We managed to get some good spells without having too much momentum. We scored a great goal. And after that, we had two or three big chances, but we lacked certain details.”

On the extent of the damage that dominated out William Saliba, he added: “I don’t know. I think he’s got another test tomorrow. We’ll need to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation that he had and we’ll know more.”

Merino: It was a horrible problem

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino advised Sky Sports activities of Moises Caicedo’s red-card deal with: “I felt my ankle go all the way.

“Fortunately, I’ve very cellular ankles and physique so I wasn’t involved about myself.

“But I knew it was a horrible challenge and a red card straight away.”

He added: “On one hand, disappointed because we didn’t win. When you wear this shirt, you want to win every game.

“However alternatively, that is going to be a protracted season. It is a actually robust stadium to return to. We’ll take the purpose.”

James: Result is a big statement

Chelsea captain Reece James to Sky Sports: “It is disappointing to return away with just one level.

“We went down to 10 men pretty early and that made it difficult. We had a lot more of the ball when it was 11 vs 11.

“Everybody can see the place we’re and what we’re combating for. Immediately was a giant assertion, although we needed to win, there’s positives to take from that.”

Chelsea’s purple mist – Opta stats

Chelsea have obtained 4 purple playing cards in 13 league video games this season. It’s twice as many as some other staff and the earliest right into a Premier League marketing campaign they’ve had 4 gamers dismissed.
Arsenal’s complete of eight pictures is their lowest in a Premier League sport since October 2024 at Bournemouth (six). In the meantime the Gunners confronted greater than 10 pictures (11 as we speak) for less than the second time within the league this season.
Arsenal didn’t win a Premier League sport by which their opponents obtained a first-half purple card for the primary time since August 2010 in opposition to Liverpool, when Joe Cole was despatched off for the Reds in a 1-1 draw.