Anthony Taylor was kept busy during Arsenal’s trip to face Chelsea on Sunday.
His hand was in his pocket for much of the first half, eventually showing a red to Moises Caicedo for an ill-timed challenge on Mikel Merino shortly before the interval.
Gary Lineker had a problem with Caicedo’s sending off, but it stood on the day, and made Chelsea’s evening a hell of a lot harder.
Chelsea’s discipline issues were on show again against Arsenal, but it’s the visitors who are finding themselves in the FA’s bad books.
Can you name the two Chelsea stars who were sent off in the 2024/25 Premier League season? ð´ ð´
Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card to Marc Cucurella of Chelsea
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Arsenal sanctioned by the FA for yellows against Chelsea
Mikel Arteta may well feel as though his side got the brunt of the rash challenges on Sunday, but it was the Gunners who racked up six cautions.
Chelsea had just one yellow to go along with Caicedo’s straight red.
As per FA rules, accumulating six or more yellows in a game earns you a £25,000 fine. A fine Arsenal will pay with a sour taste in their mouths, considering the stellar disciplinary record they have kept up to this point.
Moises Caicedo and Mikel Merino hurt during Chelsea vs Arsenal
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Arsenal had just 12 yellows this season before travelling to Stamford Bridge. That’s one per game.
Whether it was the bright lights of the derby or Chelsea’s physicality getting under their skin, it was a deviation from the level-headedness they have shown throughout the season.
Time to write off Arsenal’s 15-goal dream
With the 13th game of the season now behind us, we have officially played out a third of the Premier League campaign.
Arsenal’s defensive prowess had many speculating whether they could outdo Jose Mourinho’s defensive record of 15 goals conceded.
John Terry said Arsenal couldn’t break the record, and it’s high time we accept that fact.
The Gunners have already conceded seven in 13 games, on pace for 20 across the campaign. With Gabriel out injured, that rate of conceding only looks like accelerating.
Arsenal are a brilliant side defensively, let’s not be mistaken. But that Chelsea record is set to stand for a long, long time.