Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: Moises Caicedo sent off as 10-man Blues hold Gunners
Makeshift striker Mikel Merino scored a crucial equalizer against 10-man Chelsea as leaders Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The big moment of the match came in the 38th minute, when Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) for a late tackle hitting Merino’s shin – his side’s sixth red card of the season.
But 10-man Chelsea took the lead shortly after halftime when Trevoh Chalobah’s header from a corner looped over David Raya and into the bottom corner.
Arsenal equalized 11 minutes later when Spain international Merino headed Bukayo Saka’s cross to the far post.
There were seven yellow cards to add to Caicedo’s red in a tense and fiery game as Chelsea dominated much of the first half, with Estevao Willian having two good chances.
Arsenal were without first-choice centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba for only the second time since 2021 and their only real effort of the first half fell to Saka, who fired past Robert Sanchez at the near post.
The dismissal was a turning point and it came when VAR John Brooks advised referee Anthony Taylor to change Caicedo’s yellow card to red after his cleats caught Merino above the ankle – a decision upheld after a pitchside review.
Chelsea continued to attack, however, after introducing Alejandro Garnacho at half-time, with Reece James first setting up Joao Pedro’s close-range header – well saved – before delivering the cross for Chalobah’s deft headed goal.
However, Saka got the better of Marc Cucurella – who fouled him four times and was booked – to cross for Merino to equalize at the back post.
Despite being a man down, Chelsea created the best chances to win through Pedro Neto, substitute Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana.
Merino went close to an Arsenal winner with a strike from the edge of the box, while Saka’s long-range effort was their only other real threat in the second half.
The draw means Arsenal move five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, while Chelsea are one point behind in third.
The Gunners are now unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions, dating back to August 30.