Phil Haigh
Published November 30, 2025 7:29pm
Updated November 30, 2025 7:42pm
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Arsenal remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton feels Arsenal missed a chance to make a statement against 10-man Chelsea, producing a ‘lame’ and ‘tame’ performance in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
It was a feisty London derby, which saw the Gunners being shown six yellow cards and the Blues just one but, crucially, one straight red.
Moises Caicedo was dismissed on 38 minutes for a dangerous lunge on Mikel Merino.
The Ecuadorian was initially shown a yellow, but after a VAR intervention it was upgraded to red and Chelsea were down to 10 for more than half the match.
Despite being behind, Trevoh Chalobah headed the Blues in front on 48 minutes, nodding in a Reece James corner.
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Merino equalised on 59 minutes but could not find a winner despite having the extra man, finishing the match with four shots on target, the same number as Chelsea.
Sutton still thinks Arsenal will win the Premier League title this season, but saw the draw as dropped points for them on Sunday and lays the blame with Mikel Arteta for not being aggressive enough in the second half.
Mikel Arteta were held despite having the extra man (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I back Arsenal, I still back Arsenal. But you didn’t go for the jugular again, you’ve been accused of that in the past. Is that a game like today where the title may get away from you?’ Sutton said on BBC Radio Five Live.
‘I think Mikel Arteta, it falls on him really, not positive enough. Wasn’t positive enough. Playing against 10 men of Chelsea for over a half? Go for the jugular Mikel! Come on!
He added: ‘It was a great opportunity today, you have the numerical advantage. I think it’s an argument where in the past Arteta has been accused of being slightly negative in his approach when he plays the big teams.
Moises Caicedo made a very rash challenge on Mikel Merino (Picture: Getty Images)
‘This was a great opportunity to go and nail Chelsea today and get three points. I don’t think they really pushed Chelsea back and worked Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal enough. You have the numerical advantage and it’s side-to-side. I just think it’s a chance missed.
‘You might take that before the game, but if you don’t want to go for the jugular when you’ve got the numerical advantage then you’ve got a problem.
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‘The way the game panned out, Caicedo got sent off you have a chance to make a statement to the rest of the Premier League, let’s wipe the floor with Chelsea. Caicedo made a mistake, let’s make him pay, let’s really widen the gap at the top of the Premier League. But you didn’t. You were lame, you were tame and that could cost you.’
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Trevor Chalboh headed Chelsea ahead (Picture: Getty)
From Stamford Bridge, Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Caicedo sees Red
The big midfield match-up between Rice and Caicedo fizzled out before half-time when the latter was sent off for a poor challenge on Merino. The Ecuadorian was solid up until that point, but his red card stunted what had been an impressive first half from the hosts.
Estevao shows his age
Estevao lit up Stamford Bridge in midweek against Barcelona but spurned one golden opportunity and was otherwise kept quiet by Calafiori before making way at the break. Perhaps a sign from Chelsea fans to not expect the world from this mercurial teenager just yet.
James delivers a captain’s performance
Reece James was a monster in the middle of the park (Picture: Getty)
A true captain’s display from James in front of his home fans. Ran the show in midfield, even before Caicedo’s departure, and continued in that vein after the break, providing the assist for Chalobah’s goal with a superb set-piece delivery.
Chelsea match ratings: Sanchez 7, Gusto 7, Fofana 5, Chalobah 7, Cucurella 7, James 9, Caicedo 3, Estevao 5, Enzo 6, Neto 7, Joao Pedro 6. Subs: Garnacho 6, Delap 6.
Merino the makeshift no more
Mikel Merino levelled for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Viktor Gyokeres was a welcome return to the Arsenal bench, but might he have to wait for his opportunity? Mikel Merino continues to exceed expectations leading the line, and showed true striker’s instinct to ghost behind Fofana and head Arsenal level.
Hincapie up for the fight
Starting his second successive league game, it’s clear to see what Arsenal saw in Hincapie. The left-footed centre-back is rough around the edges, but a bundle of aggression in both boxes, and virtually licked his lips with enjoyment after dispossessing Neto inside his own box.
Arsenal match ratings: Raya 6, Timber 7, Mosquera 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 7, Rice 7, Zubimendi 6, Eze 6, Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Merino 8. Subs: Lewis-Skelly 7, Madueke 6, Odegaard 6, Gyokeres 6.
Arteta admitted that he was disappointed only to leave with a draw, telling the BBC: ‘Right from the beginning you could sense how much was at stake. Every duel and action was full gas, very short sequences of play.
‘With the 10 men we expected a different game, we plan it, we went through it in the second half. They get a free kick and they score. Then it becomes a very tricky game to play.
‘Overall I think that when you don’t win with 10 men for 45 minutes you have to be disappointed. But you have to know the week we had, a tough opponent.’
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