Arsenal still have a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after their 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Mikel Merino scoring the equaliser after Moises Caicedo’s red card
Declan Rice has delivered a defiant message following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea. The Gunners were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage after Moises Caicedo saw red, and that was difficult to take after Manchester City had beaten Leeds late on the day before, closing the gap at the Premier League summit.
Arsenal’s midfield talisman insists Mikel Arteta’s squad will maintain their momentum following crucial victories in the league and Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich respectively. They were handed a golden opportunity to defeat Chelsea, who entered the weekend’s clash sitting in second spot.
The Ecuador international was dismissed following a dangerous challenge on Mikel Merino – with his original yellow card upgraded to red just before the interval.
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Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the table, with City having closed the gap after snatching a 3-2 win at home to Leeds. The Gunners were trailing following Trevoh Chalobah’s opening goal, before Merino equalised.
England international Rice reflected on a positive week and urged his team-mates to strive for more as they go in search of their first domestic title in over 20 years.
Posting to his Instagram story, Rice said: “A point to end a great week. Now on to the next. We keep building.”
Merino shook off the challenge from Caicedo to head home the leveller in the second period. The former Real Sociedad midfielder demonstrated his growing significance to Arteta’s team with another vital contribution.
In a message on social media, the 29-year-old turned attention towards their upcoming midweek encounter with Brentford, where Arsenal will aim to bounce back with three points.
He said: “Take the point and make it good on Wednesday. Crazy week for the team. COYG.”
During his post-match interview, Merino confessed that he was lucky to escape a serious injury after the “horrible” tackle from his midfield opponent.
“I felt my ankle go all the way, but luckily I have very mobile ankles and body,” he revealed. “I knew it was a horrible challenge and it was going to be a red card.”
On the other hand, Arteta believed that on-field referee Anthony Taylor made the correct call. He stated: “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 [to play] Aston Villa.”
