Arsenal remain top of the Premier League but failed to pick up three points in the London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal had Mikel Merino to thank for sharing the spoils against Chelsea, but the Premier League leaders were unable to pick up all three points against a stubborn 10-man side, the Blues.
Moises Caicedo was sent off after 36 minutes for a nasty stud-up challenge on Merino, at which point Chelsea could have folded. Same as before this season when we took a player down before half-time. This time they stood up like men and refused to be eliminated from this season’s title contention without losing.
Trevor Chalobah put 10 men in front just after half-time and Spain international Merino equalized for the Gunners just before the hour, but Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could take much encouragement from his side’s refusal to lie down in front of the leaders.
Here’s our assessment of Arsenal’s players for the match at Stamford Bridge.
read more: Referee accused of acting unintentionally by VAR after Moises Caicedo’s red cardread more: Arsenal’s angry clash with 10-a-side Chelsea saves Mikel Merino from blushing – 5 talking points
David Raya – 7
He made a fine save from João Pedro’s head. This save led to a corner kick for the opening goal, and Chalobah flicked a header in to give the stopper a narrow chance. Raya did a good job keeping a shot from Liam Delap, but it could have easily gone into the corner.
Julian Timber – 7
The last man brilliantly blocked Enzo Fernandes in the box to deny another big chance. Although he was the only member of the back four not named, he was unable to find link-up in the attack as often as he would have liked.
Cristian Mosquera – 7
Reserved early in the game for a cynical challenge. Being tasked with filling in for William Saliba is no easy task, especially without Gabriel, and the Spaniard was the stronger player on the day.
Clown Hincapie – 6
He was erratic in the first half, sliding in the box and almost giving Joao Pedro a chance. He made a great sliding tackle on Neto inside the box to thwart the chance.
Riccardo Calafioli – 6
Within 10 minutes, a superb last-man challenge on Estevao denied him a brilliant run towards goal. However, he was sent off midway through, meaning Mikel Arteta did not want to take any risks during the break.
Martin Zvimendi – 5
Reserved early in the game for a cynical challenge. He was chased a few times but was booked enough for Arteta to sacrifice him.
Declan Rice – 7
He made a great tackle on Pedro Neto in the box to prevent him from conceding a goal. Arsenal’s engine room was as usual, but perhaps a little less dominant after the heated previous two games, and although he was forced to drop into a No. 6 role after Zvimendi was substituted, he held a steady place in midfield.
Eberechi Eze – 5
I was barely involved in the first half. The addition of Martin Odegaard in second place allows him to touch the ball more often. None of this resulted in much, however, and he was soon replaced.
Bukayozaka – 7
The early opportunity came from the right winger, but his low right-footed drive was saved by Robert Sanchez’s right foot. Merino scored his first assist in the league in a year with a perfect cross in the second half. He had several big chances to score, but he got too far under the ball and his shot went over the bar.
Mikel Merino – 8
A misplaced pass in their own half almost gave Chelsea a big chance within 10 minutes. He was deep in midfield throughout, but faced a challenge for a red card from Moises Caicedo. But once again, the man popped up and headed Sánchez past Saka’s cross to score a huge goal. Sanchez parried the late shot.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Roberto Sanchez’s low shot to the right was stopped just as the Brazilian tested the Chelsea stopper. He did not have the desired effect and was sent off in the second half.
Substitute:
Miles Lewis-Skelly – 5 – Was booked immediately after coming on and then made a dangerous pass across his own goal.
Martin Odegaard – 7 – Rebuilt midfield in place of Martin Zvimendi. His presence definitely helped change the course of the game after Chelsea’s goal.
Noni Maduke – 5 – Plays on the left wing in place of Gabriel Martinelli. After becoming frustrated on the left flank, he switched teams with Saka, but remained thwarted by his former teammate’s defence.
Victor Gokeres – 5 – Returned from injury, replacing Eberechi Eze. He saw the ball and slid, but Sanchez caught Merino’s shot.
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