Tony Mogan
Published November 30, 2025 9:25pm
Updated November 30, 2025 9:25pm
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Chelsea legend Zola was not impressed with some of his old side’s defending (Picture: Getty)
Gianfranco Zola blasted Wesley Fofana’s defending that led to Arsenal’s equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The London rivals shared the points after a feisty affair at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening.
Moises Caicedo was shown a straight red card for a wild challenge on Mikel Merino in the first-half but it was the Blues who took the lead three minutes into the second period through Trevoh Chalobah.
Arsenal responded just 11 minutes later with Merino, again filling in up front, in the right place to head home Bukayo Saka’s cross.
The Arsenal winger beat Marc Cucurella to lift the ball into the box to find Merino unmarked with Fofana failing to track his run into the six yard area.
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Reviewing the goal post-match, Arsenal legend Ian Wright identified Fofana as at fault for the goal.
‘Fofana as the central defender, he leaves him,’ Wright told Premier League Productions.
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
@metrosportukA London derby to forget for both teams 😬 Chelsea draw 1-1 with Arsenal with 10 men after Moisés Caicedo’s red card at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League following Trevoh Chalobah and Mikel Merino’s headers for either team. Man City gain two points on the Gunners at the top of the table, and Arsenal fans may be getting flashbacks. #chelsea #arsenal #premierleague #caicedo #redcard
♬ original sound - Metro Sport
From Stamford Bridge, Metro's Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Caicedo sees Red
The big midfield match-up between Rice and Caicedo fizzled out before half-time when the latter was sent off for a poor challenge on Merino. The Ecuadorian was solid up until that point, but his red card stunted what had been an impressive first half from the hosts.
Estevao shows his age
Estevao lit up Stamford Bridge in midweek against Barcelona but spurned one golden opportunity and was otherwise kept quiet by Calafiori before making way at the break. Perhaps a sign from Chelsea fans to not expect the world from this mercurial teenager just yet.
James delivers a captain’s performance
A true captain's display from James in front of his home fans. Ran the show in midfield, even before Caicedo's departure, and continued in that vein after the break, providing the assist for Chalobah's goal with a superb set-piece delivery.
Reece James was a monster in the middle of the park (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea match ratings: Sanchez 7, Gusto 7, Fofana 5, Chalobah 7, Cucurella 7, James 9, Caicedo 3, Estevao 5, Enzo 6, Neto 7, Joao Pedro 6. Subs: Garnacho 6, Delap 6.
Merino the makeshift no more
Mikel Merino levelled for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Viktor Gyokeres was a welcome return to the Arsenal bench, but might he have to wait for his opportunity? Mikel Merino continues to exceed expectations leading the line, and showed true striker's instinct to ghost behind Fofana and head Arsenal level.
Hincapie up for the fight
Starting his second successive league game, it's clear to see what Arsenal saw in Hincapie. The left-footed centre-back is rough around the edges, but a bundle of aggression in both boxes, and virtually licked his lips with enjoyment after dispossessing Neto inside his own box.
Arsenal match ratings: Raya 6, Timber 7, Mosquera 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 7, Rice 7, Zubimendi 6, Eze 6, Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Merino 8. Subs: Lewis-Skelly 7, Madueke 6, Odegaard 6, Gyokeres 6.
‘He’s now ball watching and he’s hoping the ball doesn’t get put in a good position instead of making sure he’s back another yard. Because with another yard, Fofana is maybe able to flick it away.
‘But great movement from Merino arriving in the box, that’s what he does so well.’
Fofana was singled out as the man at fault (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea legend Zola was alongside Wright in the studio, also fearing Fofana was guilty of ‘ball watching’ and losing his man – something the Italian described as ‘not acceptable’.
‘I agree, it is the mistake so many defenders make, they get attracted to the ball, they start ball watching and they lose the opposition who is going in behind them,’ Zola said.
Fofana lost Merino’s run leading up to the goal (Picture: Getty)
‘It happens, it is so common. A defender who loses his man in the box, it is not acceptable.
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‘It is one thing Italian coaches are very strict on. You have to have your body open and watching the ball but above all else, watching the opposition.
‘It is the opposition that is going to score, not the ball.
‘Your man cannot get the ball, whether the ball is delivered to the first post, the second post or the middle your man doesn’t have to touch the ball.’
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