Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Chelsea in a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo was sent off in the first half after VAR upgraded a yellow card to red for a studs-up challenge on Mikel Merino, making him the fourth Chelsea player to be dismissed this season.
Arsenal eventually found a leveller when Bukayo Saka weaved past defenders on the right side of the Chelsea box and delivered a precise cross for makeshift striker Merino to head into the corner.
With over 30 minutes left against 10 men, Arsenal looked well-placed to push for a winner but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Merino came closest, forcing a sharp save from Robert Sánchez, but Arsenal managed only eight shots compared to Chelsea’s 11, with the hosts defending resolutely.
The Gunners were without their first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães for just the second time in 162 league games and risked going down to 10 men themselves, receiving six bookings — four in a stormy first half.
Chelsea were aggrieved when Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié received only a yellow for an elbow that left Trevoh Chalobah with a bruised cheek.
Chelsea continued to threaten on the counter in the closing stages, with substitute Liam Delap forcing a save from David Raya. The home fans celebrated a hard-earned point at the final whistle, though they rued what might have been had Caicedo stayed on the pitch.
