Chelsea were the better team in their Premier League clash against Arsenal before Moises Caicedo was sent off in the first half.
The Blues even took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah, however couldn’t keep out the league leaders for long and conceded to Mikel Merino.
Caicedo is set to miss three games as a result of serious foul play, with the fixtures coming thick and fast for the Blues over the festive period.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Arsenal?
Mark Clattenburg told The Chelsea Chronicle that he thought it was certainly a red card, however Daniel Sturridge was sympathetic with the decision going against the Blues.
Mark Clattenburg’s thoughts on Caicedo’s red card…
Speaking exclusively to The Chelsea Chronicle, the former Premier League referee said:
There is no doubt that Moises Caicedo deserve a red card for a shocking tackle that catches his opponent above the foot which could easily endanger the safety of his opponent. Some will argue that the early yellow cards have created this tension but that is looking for excuses for such a tackle.
Mark Clattenburg
Daniel Sturridge believes Moises Caicedo red card decision was harsh
He told Sky Sports that he believed the game was being re-refereed by VAR in this instance, and at full speed he did not think the tackle was that bad.
“The only defence I can mount is that the referee has a good view, and decides to give him a yellow card to start. When we see it slowed down, it looks nasty. But initially, the referee makes a decision to give him a yellow card, and in doing that, it is slightly re-reffed it, and gone with the VAR help.
“If you look at it in high speed, it doesn’t look that bad of a tackle. The point I’m trying to say is, when you look at the challenge slowed down, it makes his decision for him.”
Sturridge’s viewpoint will not be the popular opinion on the incident. It seemed quite a clear decision at the time to hand Caicedo the first red card of his club career.
The reliance Chelsea have had on the Ecuador international is clear to see, however Enzo Maresca is now going to have to come up with a solution for the upcoming fixtures.
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Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Andrey Santos set for biggest chance yet at Chelsea
While Reece James put in a Man of the Match performance for the Blues today in midfield, it is likely he does not play all of those games due to the speed in which they come.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Arsenal?
The chance is there for Andrey Santos to put together a run of games after waiting patiently for his opportunities this season.
Santos starred against Burnley last time he started a game for the Blues, and he will be confident he can keep up this form just when Maresca needs him most.