Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions but were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners had the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League but instead saw their lead cut to five following Manchester City’s late win over Leeds.
Chelsea began brightly and could have taken the lead through teenage forward Estêvão, who blasted over from close range in the first half.
Their momentum was checked when Moisés Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino, upgraded to a red card after VAR intervention. Despite the setback, Chelsea struck first just two minutes into the second half when Reece James delivered a superb inswinging corner that Trevoh Chalobah headed past Declan Rice and into the net.
Arsenal responded quickly, equalising through Merino’s powerful header from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
It was Merino’s sixth headed goal in the Premier League for the club, underlining his growing importance in attack. The Gunners pushed for a winner but were denied by Robert Sánchez’s sharp save from Gabriel Martinelli before the break and struggled to make their numerical advantage count in the closing stages.
The draw means Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with Chelsea, though Mikel Arteta may view it as a missed opportunity given the absence of both Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba in defence and the fact Chelsea played with ten men for more than 50 minutes.
For Chelsea, the result keeps them within six points of the leaders, but their persistent disciplinary issues continue to undermine their progress, with Caicedo’s dismissal adding to a league-high tally of red cards.
