Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He described the Premier League encounter as a “very tricky game.” Arsenal had an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points. However, they left frustrated, failing to fully utilize their numerical advantage.

Chelsea was reduced to ten men before half-time. Moises Caicedo’s dismissal should have benefited Arsenal. Yet, it was Chelsea who scored first. Trevoh Chalobah guided in the opener early in the second half.

Arteta’s Post-Match Reflections

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Arteta appeared both composed and disappointed. He stated they anticipated a different game after Chelsea lost a player. “With the 10 men, we expected a different game,” he explained. “We planned it, we went through it in the second half.”

He continued, “They get a free kick and they score. Then it becomes a very tricky game to play.” Arteta admitted frustration at not securing a win against ten men for 45 minutes. He acknowledged the tough week and the opponent’s resolve. “There were a lot of things happening before the game,” he added, alluding to challenges in building player synergy.

The draw means Arsenal’s cushion at the league summit remains narrower than hoped. Nevertheless, Arteta stressed that the circumstances surrounding the match made the result harder to judge.

Caicedo’s Red Card and Three-Match Ban

Meanwhile, Chelsea now faces their next three fixtures without Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian midfielder initially received a yellow card. This was for a heavy challenge on Mikel Merino.

However, VAR advised referee Anthony Taylor to review the incident. After consulting the pitchside monitor, Taylor upgraded the caution to a straight red card. This decision means Caicedo will miss several crucial matches. He is ruled out of Wednesday’s game against Leeds, Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, and the following weekend’s clash with Everton.