Mikel Merino Rescues Point for Arsenal Against 10-Man Chelsea as Premier League Lead Slips to Five Points

Mikel Merino proved Arsenal’s saviour as the Premier League leaders were held to a tense 1–1 draw by 10-man Chelsea in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo was dismissed late in the first half for a reckless challenge on Merino, yet the hosts still struck first through Trevoh Chalobah’s header early in the second half. Merino, however, levelled shortly afterwards to ensure Arsenal avoided defeat in a bruising encounter between the title contenders.

The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who defeated Newcastle on Saturday, and six ahead of Chelsea in third.

When the intensity eased and tempers cooled, Arsenal were left reflecting on a missed chance to extend their advantage at the top, while Chelsea took encouragement from securing a valuable point despite their numerical disadvantage.

Managers React to High-Stakes Draw

“I think we showed we are heading in the right direction,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. “We were a much better team than them 11 v 11 but with 10 players, it is difficult. But we dealt with it outstandingly.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised the fierce competitiveness of the contest.

“Two teams that play with a lot of intensity and aggression — you could sense it in every tackle,” he said. “We scored a brilliant goal. We had two or three big chances. It’s been a massive week emotionally and physically.”

Arsenal remain favourites to claim their first Premier League title since the Invincibles season in 2004, although Chelsea’s impressive resilience suggested they could become the Gunners’ most significant challengers.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 17 matches across all competitions, winning 14 of them, while Chelsea are now seven games without defeat.

Both sides arrived buoyed by midweek European victories — Chelsea with a commanding 3–0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, and Arsenal with a 3–1 success over Bayern Munich — but those positive emotions were quickly swept aside amidst the derby’s combative tone.

First-Half Battle Overshadowed by Caicedo’s Red Card

The match began at an electrifying tempo, with both sides trading spells of pressure and a flurry of bookings in the opening period.

Bukayo Saka forced Robert Sánchez into a sharp save at his near post, while Enzo Fernández drew a stop from David Raya as Chelsea pressed against Arsenal’s reshuffled defence, which was without injured centre-back William Saliba.

The contest descended into controversy in the 38th minute when Caicedo caught Merino’s ankle with a dangerous challenge. Initially shown a yellow card, the Ecuadorian’s punishment was upgraded to a red after VAR intervention — Chelsea’s sixth dismissal of the season in all competitions.

Minutes later, the hosts demanded another red card when Piero Hincapié caught Chalobah with an elbow, but the officials opted for no further sanction.

Sánchez was again called into action before the interval, producing an excellent save to deny Gabriel Martinelli’s fierce effort.

Chelsea Strike Before Arsenal Hit Back

Arsenal entered the match as the Premier League’s leading set-piece scorers with 10 goals in 12 fixtures, but it was Chelsea — ranked second with eight — who delivered from a dead ball.

Just three minutes into the second half, Reece James whipped a corner to the near post, where Chalobah rose above the defence to glance a header into the far corner.

Arteta responded swiftly, introducing Martin Ødegaard and Noni Madueke — the latter greeted with chants of “Chelsea reject” on his return to Stamford Bridge.

The changes paid immediate dividends. In the 59th minute, Saka glided past Marc Cucurella with a brilliant run before delivering a pinpoint cross for Merino, who powered a close-range header beyond Sánchez. It was the Spaniard’s fourth goal of the season, once again operating effectively in the advanced role Arteta has increasingly trusted him with.

Late Pressure but No Winner

Arsenal pushed for a decisive goal in a frantic finale, but Sánchez produced two superb late saves to deny both Saka and Merino.

In the end, the leaders were forced to settle for a draw, unable to land the knockout blow against a Chelsea side that refused to crumble despite their numerical disadvantage.