Match Overview
After a tense encounter that ended in a 1-1 stalemate between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday, Mikel Merino did not hold back in his criticism of Moisés Caicedo, labeling a first-half foul that led to the Chelsea midfielder’s red card as a “horrible challenge.” This incident occurred during the match at Stamford Bridge, where the Spain international helped his team secure a vital point by scoring an equalizer in the second half, effectively countering Trevoh Chalobah’s earlier goal for Chelsea shortly after the break.
Key Incident
The match turned significantly in the 38th minute when referee Anthony Taylor, aided by VAR, decided to send Caicedo off after he brutally caught Merino on the ankle with the studs of his boot. Thankfully, after receiving lengthy treatment, Merino was able to continue playing and promptly assessed the situation.
“I felt my ankle go all the way, but luckily I have very mobile ankles and body,”
he explained to Sky Sports, emphasizing that while he was not overly concerned about his safety, the challenge was clearly deserving of a red card.
Post-Match Reactions
Commenting further on the heated nature of the London derby, Merino noted,
“The red card tackle was harsh and a really tough one. What you expect in this league and what you expect in this ground, this is a grown-up game and you’ve got to step up in this game.”
When asked if Caicedo reached out to him post-match, Merino simply stated,
“No. Nothing.”
Physicality of the Match
The match featured considerable physicality, with Taylor issuing a total of seven yellow cards throughout, a fact that Merino highlighted as reflective of the intense competition found within the Premier League.
“This is the Premier League,”
he remarked.
“It’s very strong and it’s why you see so many transitions. If you win a duel, then you can attack the box.”
Looking Ahead
Though Merino acknowledged the difficulty of securing a point at Stamford Bridge, he also mentioned areas for improvement, stating,
“We could have done things better, maybe managing the game a little bit better and understanding what they were trying to do, how they were pressing and going man-to-man so aggressively. But the team showed good mentality. With 10 men, we could have had more patience with the ball, trying to find the wings and cross with players in the box. But obviously, they are a good side.”
