Phil Haigh
Published December 1, 2025 8:06am
Updated December 1, 2025 8:42am
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
It was a first Premier League red card for Moises Caicedo on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
Moises Caicedo must improve his decision-making after his ‘daft’ tackle on Mikel Merino deservedly saw him shown a red card, believes Jamie Carragher.
The Chelsea midfielder was initially booked for his late, high challenge on the Arsenal man in Sunday’s London derby.
However, VAR intervened and the Ecuadorian was rightfully dismissed for the studs-up challenge which missed the ball and landed hard on the Spaniard’s ankle.
The game was goalless at the time and ended 1-1, with Trevoh Chalobah putting the home side ahead before an equaliser from Merino.
Carragher has partially defended Caicedo, saying it was understandable he was pumped up for the big derby and does not believe he is a ‘nasty’ player.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.
But the Liverpool legend has seen similar from the 24-year-old before and says this was another example of a challenge he did not need to make.
‘He was really pumped up, I think we saw that right from the start of the game. I think the whole talk this week of [Declan] Rice vs Caicedo maybe got to him, understandably so,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
Mikel Merino was on the wrong end of the extremely poor tackle (Picture: Getty Images)
‘It’s a huge game, and he ends up getting himself involved in a challenge. Yes, it’s a red card, but it’s just daft to get involved in a tackle like that. He doesn’t need to.
‘He’s a brilliant player. He wins the ball back fantastically well, but I think he does have a tendency where he can look clumsy with some of the angles he can come in with, and I’m quite surprised that this is only his first red card.’
Carragher recalls a poor Caicedo challenge on Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, which ultimately went unpunished, but saw the Dutchman stretchered off.
Like Sunday’s red card, it was a tackle in the middle of the pitch and the Reds hero says Caicedo must learn on when it is worth risking diving in.
Caicedo injured Ryan Gravenberch with a poor challenge at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I remember a challenge in the Carabao Cup final against Gravenberch a couple of years ago as well,’ Carragher continued. ‘It’s not because he’s a nasty player but that was a case in point really, where he ends up facing his own goal to win a challenge, where basically he’s got someone else coming behind him, and he just doesn’t need to get involved.
‘He’s just got to be careful with that. He’s a fantastic player, but he definitely needs to learn from that. I’m sure the manager will speak to him if he’s come out and said it was a definite red card, and that’s really good to hear.’
Blues boss Enzo Maresca did indeed agree that it was a challenge warranting a red card, but he questioned the consistency of the refereeing.
Chelsea won 1-0 at Tottenham on November 1 and Maresca recalls a similar challenge from Rodrigo Bentancur on Reece James which did not lead to a sending off.
😲 "I'm lost for words… He's got to go!" 🟥@richardajkeys and Andy Gray believe Bentancur should have been shown a straight red for his challenge on Reece James. Agree?#beINPL #TOTCHE pic.twitter.com/EMvcwWLeyG
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 1, 2025
‘It’s a red card. But why Bentancur against Reece was not red card when we played Spurs away?’ Maresca questioned.
‘So as managers, we struggle to understand why they judge in a different way.
‘Moi is a red card, yes. Bentancur is red card, yes. Why don’t they give them [both] red cards? It’s just that we struggle to understand.
More Trending
-
Why William Saliba is not playing for Arsenal against Chelsea today
Channel: Football Football 17 hours ago By Tony Mogan - Why are there Premier League games kicking off at 2.05pm today?
- Chelsea tipped to sell £54m star after rejecting approach from 'top club'
- Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal: Gunners held to draw by ten-man Blues in fiery London derby
‘The reality is that it’s red card. But why they judge in different way?’
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.
Caicedo’s red card was his first in 130 Premier League appearances, while he has picked up 36 yellow cards in that time.
He will now be suspended for three games, meaning he will miss Premier League clashes with Leeds, Bournemouth and Everton.
However, he will be able to play against Atalanta in the Champions League on December 9 as the ban does not extend to European competition.
Arrow MORE: What Arsenal must learn as Chelsea draw shows how Premier League title race will be decided
Arrow MORE: ‘I’d be devastated’ – Ian Wright stunned by what Arsenal star failed to do against Chelsea
Arrow MORE: Arsenal provide Gabriel Magalhaes injury update after draw at Chelsea
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerYour guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
