Maresca's Refereeing Fury Overshadows Stamford Bridge Stalemate
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca launched a scathing attack on Premier League officiating, claiming a lack of consistency cost his side after a bruising 1-1 draw with title-chasing Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The Italian's frustration erupted despite his admission that Moisés Caicedo deserved his first-half red card for a reckless challenge on Arsenal's Mikel Merino.
Controversial Challenges Dominate London Derby
The match turned contentious early when Chelsea's midfield enforcer Caicedo was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Merino. While Maresca accepted that decision, he vehemently argued that Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié should have followed for an aerial collision that left Trevoh Chalobah with a visible black eye.
"I think Reece [James] is right," Maresca stated, referencing his captain's protests. "But they decide. He asked me about Moi's red card. It's a red card, but why was Bentancur's against Reece not a red card when we were at Spurs away? As a manager, we struggle to understand why they judge in a different way."
The Chelsea boss revealed that match officials told him they did not consider Hincapié's challenge an elbow offence, despite Chalobah requiring ice treatment at half-time for his facial injury.
Chelsea's Resilient Display Despite Numerical Disadvantage
Despite playing most of the match with ten men after Caicedo's dismissal, Chelsea took the lead through defender Trevoh Chalobah, raising hopes of a crucial victory against the league leaders. However, Arsenal found an equaliser through Mikel Merino, who later expressed relief at escaping serious injury from Caicedo's challenge.
"I felt my ankle go all the way but luckily I have very mobile ankles," the Arsenal midfielder revealed. "I knew it was a horrible challenge and it was going to be a red card."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged his team's failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage, suggesting Chelsea deliberately targeted his players after Caicedo's exit. "Obviously we wanted to settle the game," Arteta admitted. "We didn't manage to do that. We had more yellow cards. Those players were constantly targeted to try to even the game in terms of numbers."
The result leaves Chelsea facing Caicedo's suspension for upcoming matches against Leeds, Bournemouth and Everton, while Arsenal missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the Premier League summit.
