Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino described Moisés Caicedo’s challenge on him as “horrible” after the Chelsea star was sent off in a thunderous 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. The clash lived up to every expectation of a London derby: high energy, heavy tackles, and no shortage of controversy. Yet Arsenal ultimately extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while Chelsea were left counting both the cost of another red card and the value of a point earned through resilience.
But it was Merino’s moment — both the tackle he survived and the header he scored — that defined the evening. The Spaniard required treatment after Caicedo collided into his ankle with a straight-leg, studs-up challenge, a tackle that VAR advised referee Anthony Taylor to upgrade from yellow to red. Remarkably, Merino was not only able to continue but went on to score Arsenal’s equaliser on 59 minutes, rising highest to meet Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint delivery.
Speaking afterwards, he outlined just how dangerous the moment felt.
“My ankle went all the way” – Merino on Caicedo’s red card
Merino told Sky Sports that the challenge was as bad as it looked:
“I felt my ankle go all the way but luckily I have very mobile ankles and body. I knew it was a horrible challenge and it was going to be a red card.” — Mikel Merino, Sky Sports
Despite acknowledging how serious the tackle could have been, Merino confirmed he had not spoken to Caicedo afterwards. Instead, he framed the incident within the wider context of Premier League physicality:
“This is the Premier League. It’s very strong and it’s why you see so many transitions. If you win a duel, then you can attack the box.”
Merino’s equaliser moments later only reinforced the narrative: a match shaped by intensity, swung by a moment of aerial quality.
Arsenal Show Composure but Fail to Break Chelsea Down
With Chelsea down to ten men before the break, Arsenal enjoyed the majority of possession and chances — 62% of the ball, higher xG, and more big chances — but still struggled to convert their dominance into a winner.
Chelsea, to their credit, defended the box intelligently. Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah delivered commanding displays, and the Blues maintained structure despite the red card. Arsenal’s frustration was reflected in their own disciplinary issues: six bookings, enough to warrant a league fine.
Although they didn’t find the winner, Arsenal’s control was evident. The structure remained intact, Merino orchestrated transitions, and Saka carried their primary creative threat.
Numbers That Tell Merino’s Story
| Stat (vs Chelsea) | Mikel Merino |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 |
| Total Shots | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 2 |
| xG | 0.65 |
| xGOT | 1.48 |
| Accurate Passes | 14 / 28 (50%) |
| Passes in Opposition Half | 9 / 18 (50%) |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Ground Duels (won) | 10 (4) |
| Aerial Duels (won) | 5 (3) |
| Fouls Committed | 3 |
source: Sofascore match data — 30 November 2025
Merino’s statistical profile shows a midfielder deeply involved in both phases: aggressive in duels, efficient in shot quality (1.48 xGOT from just three shots), and brave with his positioning. His passing accuracy was low at 50%, but that reflects Arsenal’s aggressive vertical approach rather than poor execution.
Why Merino Is Becoming Arsenal’s Most Underrated Weapon
Having covered Merino’s evolution from Real Sociedad to Arsenal, the key difference in his Premier League adaptation has been assertiveness. He no longer plays as a positional facilitator — he now drives Arsenal’s midfield tempo and can play as number 9, presses aggressively, and makes late runs into the box with conviction.
In our view, the Caicedo tackle moment was symbolic. Many players would have been withdrawn. Merino re-centred, regained composure, and minutes later punished Chelsea with a clinical header. That mental durability is exactly why Arteta prioritised him this summer.
Although some will focus on his pass completion, it’s worth questioning how much of that is structural. Arsenal’s idea is to play forward early and break lines. Merino, operating as the aggressive half-space midfielder in the second half and as a false 9 in the first half, is naturally tasked with more risk than someone like Declan Rice.
From my experience analysing transitional midfielders, those who thrive in the Premier League combine aggression with stability. Merino is showing signs he can bridge that gap.
Key Insights
- Merino calls Caicedo’s studs-up challenge “horrible” and expected the red card.
- The midfielder recovered to score Arsenal’s equaliser moments later.
- Arsenal dominated possession (62%) but couldn’t break down ten-man Chelsea.
- Chelsea received their seventh red card of the season; Arsenal picked up six bookings.
- Merino posted strong duel numbers and high shot quality (1.48 xGOT).
What’s Next?
Arsenal continue their Premier League title push with a five-point cushion, while Chelsea face internal questions once again over discipline despite a spirited draw.
👉 Was Merino’s reaction proof the red card was justified, or did Chelsea suffer harsher punishment than the incident deserved?
1 Comment (last comment by JamesLove)
First read message
By JamesLove 30 Nov 2025 19:45
Yeah, whatever. It was a red card, but these Spaniards always have some drama whenever they got fouled..
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