Moises Caicedo Under Fire: Merino Slams Chelsea Star for Costly Red Card in Arsenal Draw
Regarding Moises Caicedo red card transgression during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, Mikel Merino has expressed his thoughts. The Spaniard called Caicedo a “horrible challenge” and attacked him for it.
After being requested to reconsider his ruling by the VAR, head referee Anthony Taylor sent Caicedo off in the 38th minute after first giving the Ecuadorian a yellow card.
Following Caicedo’s reckless tackle on Merino, where he arrived with his cleats dangerously high and made contact with the Arsenal player’s ankle, play was halted for a considerable period after the 34th minute.
Initially, the referee, Taylor, issued a caution (yellow card) to Caicedo once he was back on his feet. However, he was immediately called to the sideline to review the incident on video. After examining the replay, the referee reversed his initial decision.
He explained to the spectators at Stamford Bridge that “Upon reviewing the play, player number 25 from Chelsea executed a challenge with excessive power and jeopardized the well-being of his opponent; therefore, my ultimate decision is a sending-off (red card).”
After Chalobah put Chelsea ahead with a header in the 46th minute, Merino equalized the game around the hour mark, rising above Gusto at the far post to powerfully head the ball into the net.
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After the match, Merino told reporters that even though the referee’s first call took time and involved a significant hold-up, he was certain Caicedo’s challenge merited a sending off.
The midfielder, playing out of position as a forward, also mentioned that he didn’t exchange words with Caicedo after the final whistle.
Speaking with the media following the high-profile game, Merino explained, “I felt my ankle twist severely, but fortunately I’m quite flexible. I was immediately aware it was a terrible foul and deserving of a red card.”
When questioned about whether he had spoken to Caicedo, he stated plainly, “No. Nothing.”
Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, also addressed the sending off, supporting his player while bringing up a previous incident from a match against Tottenham where Rodrigo Bentancur wasn’t dismissed despite a similar challenge.
Maresca expressed his confusion regarding the inconsistency in red card decisions during the Sky Sports interview.
He stated that, in his opinion, a red card should be a straightforward call, but he finds it difficult to reconcile the varying interpretations of similar fouls.
Specifically, he questioned why the foul on Reece was not deemed a red card offense, while the one under discussion was.
He emphasized the perceived clarity of the red card decision in the current situation, highlighting the disparity in judgment.
Ultimately, he acknowledged the situation while praising Moises’ consistent performance and commitment to winning, suggesting his player was simply exhibiting his characteristic passion and drive..
At halftime, Sky Sports analyst Daniel Sturridge offered a contrasting opinion. The ex-forward for Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea questioned the reliance on video assistance, arguing that Taylor had essentially “re-judged” the play. Taylor had originally thought a caution was sufficient when seeing it live.
Sturridge stated that slowing down the footage made the foul seem much worse.
He felt that the slowed-down replay unfairly influenced the referee’s ultimate decision. Seeing the challenge in slow motion, in his opinion, made a red card appear inevitable.
Echoing this sentiment during the live broadcast, commentator Alan Smith noted the extensive review. He pointed out the speed and power behind the tackle.
Smith emphasized the importance of seeing the play at normal speed and observed the force of the challenge and the player’s extended leg, suggesting he might be lucky to avoid being sent off.
Meanwhile, on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex-Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin shared his assessment. He believed the player had initially escaped a more severe punishment.
Nevin described the challenge as reckless, highlighting the significant distance between the player and the ball, and the potential for serious injury.
Is Chelsea Losing Ground in the Title Race Because of Poor Discipline?
Chelsea’s disciplinary issues continued as Caicedo’s red card marked the team’s seventh sending-off in the 2025-26 season.
This concerning trend also includes manager Maresca’s ejection during the exuberant celebrations following their hard-fought 2-1 victory against Liverpool back in October.
The impact of these dismissals has been evident in Chelsea’s recent Premier League form, with the team securing only a single point from the three matches where they’ve played with a man down.
Recall their 2-1 loss to Manchester United in September after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez received a red card. Similarly, Trevoh Chalobah’s sending off against Brighton sparked a remarkable comeback from their opponents, ultimately leading to a 3-1 defeat for Chelsea at their home ground.
If Chelsea hopes to remain competitive with Arsenal and challenge for the top spots, maintaining player availability, especially their key individuals, is crucial.
This is particularly important during the congested schedule of fixtures over the Christmas period. Unless overturned by an appeal, Caicedo now faces a three-game suspension.
While Chelsea managed to navigate the second half of the game without him, his prolonged absence could pose a significant challenge to the team’s progress and momentum.
