Mikel Arteta says Chelsea ‘targeting’ Arsenal players, Mikel Merino reacts to ‘horrible’ Moises Caicedo challenge in London derby

Blues midfielder Caicedo was sent off after a VAR review on 38 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Merino, reducing the home side to 10 men.

However, it was the home side who took the lead, when Trevoh Chalobah scored three minutes into the second half from a Reece James assist.

Speaking after the encounter, Arteta accepted that a local derby between two title contenders was bound to be a full-blooded affair, and thought that Chelsea singled out the Arsenal players who were carrying a yellow card.

He told Sky Sports: “A really tough one. Two teams that play with a lot of intensity and aggression, you could sense it in every tackle.

“The game settled and after the red card, we needed to settle and make the judgement, but we conceded a foul and a goal. Two top teams fighting for the Premier League, so it’s normal.

“We had four players with yellow cards, and you could see they were targeting those players.

“The first action in the second half, we conceded, and we had to get through that. We scored a brilliant goal. We had two or three big chances.

“They are a really good team. They’ve scored seven goals from corners, we’ve scored eight.”

Arteta was also stoic about Caicedo’s red card, and did not rush to damn the Chelsea midfielder despite it being an automatic expulsion from the game.

He said: “It was really fast. I saw the reaction and everyone was saying he’s off. Anthony (Taylor, referee) made the call and I think it’s the right one.

“It’s been a massive week emotionally and physically. We had one day less to recover. They got to play at Stamford Bridge after they just beat Barcelona. I expect and always want to win the game.

“We have another game on Wednesday and we have to prepare really well to beat a tough opponent like Brentford and then we have Aston Villa.”

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Merino on ‘horrible challenge’ from Caicedo

Merino reflected on the match and suggested that with a numerical advantage, they might have done better.

He explained: “On one hand, disappointed because we didn’t win. When you wear this shirt, you want to win every game. This is a really tough stadium to come and take a point. We could have done things better but the team showed good mentality.

“Maybe managing the game better and understanding what they were trying to do. With 10 men, we could have had more patience with the ball. Trying to find the wings and cross with players in the box. Obviously, they are a good side.”

The attacking player also gave his opinion on Caicedo’s challenge and suggested he was fortunate to come away from the incident without any immediate fitness concerns.

“I felt my ankle go all the way but luckily, I have very mobile ankles and body,” he answered. “I knew it was a horrible challenge, and it was going to be a red card.”

When asked if he had since spoken to Caicedo, he clarified: “No. Nothing.”