◤Premier League◢ Mikel Merino's header rescues a point for Arsenal in their 1-1 away draw against 10-man Chelsea..
2025-12-01 09:24
Arsenal held 10-man Chelsea to a 1-1 draw away at Stamford Bridge on Sunday on matchday 13 of the 2025 Premier League season.
In the first half, Caicedo was sent off for a malicious foul on Merino. In the second half, Chalobah and Merino both scored with headers. Late in the game, the decision to not send Gyökeres off after he had kicked Robert Sánchez in the face during a save sparked controversy, as he only received a yellow card. Ultimately, Arsenal drew 1-1 away against 10-man Chelsea. After this round of matches, the Gunners temporarily maintain their lead at the summit with 30 points, but their advantage has narrowed to 5 points; the Blues are currently third on the table with 24 points.
First Half
In the 18th minute, João Pedro crossed into the box from the byline at the right wing. His pass was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Cristhian Mosquera. Estêvão quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.
In the 34th minute, Mikel Merino was fouled by Moises Caicedo when he made a back pass from the right wing. The referee initially didn't call a foul, but after the VAR assistant referee intervened and that he had reviewed the VAR himself, he decided to issue a straight red card to send off Caicedo, forcing Chelsea to finish the game with 10-man!
In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Declan Rice passed the ball back from the left side of the box. Gabriel Martinelli quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a right-footed long shot from the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Sánchez.
At halftime, Chelsea and Arsenal temporarily go into the break with a goalless draw.
Second Half
Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 47th minute, Chelsea won a free kick opportunity Reece James took the free kick by crossing it into the box. João Pedro rose high and attempted with a header from a difficult angle, however his effort was met with a spectacular David Raya diving save.
James then took the corner for Chelsea by crossing it into the box. Trevoh Chalobah then scored by heading the ball into net from a very close distance in the box at a difficult angle, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead! This was James' 28th assist for Chelsea in his career!
In the 59th minute, Bukayo Saka crossed from the byline at the right side of the box. Mikel Merino rose high and scored with a header from a very close distance in the box, leveling the score at 1-1 for Arsenal! This was the versatile Spain international player's 13th goal for the Gunners in all competitions!
Half an hour later, Merino the took a left-footed shot from the center of the box. His shot was initially parried away but fumbled by Sánchez. As Sánchez tried to recover the loose ball, he was kicked in the face by Viktor Gyökeres, who pressed forward. Chelsea players and fans immediately protested, but the refereeing team refused to issue a red card to the Sweden international striker, sparking huge controversy!
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Pietro Hincapie passes horizontally into the box from the byline at the left wing. Jurriën Timber rose high and attempted with a header from a very close distance in the box, however his effort missed its target and drifted to the right.
When the final whistle is blown, Arsenal held 10-man Chelsea to a 1-1 away draw.
