Chelsea’s red-card problem and missed chance against Arsenal
All the teams chasing Arsenal have issues to solve, and for Chelsea the biggest is clear: their discipline. Moises Caicedo’s red card in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the Gunners was already their fourth dismissal in just 13 Premier League matches this season.
One of those, Malo Gusto’s late sending off against Forest, barely influenced the outcome, but against Manchester United, Brighton and now Arsenal, Chelsea played with 10 men for long spells. They have taken only one point from a possible nine in those three games, and each red card has shaped the result.
Given the circumstances, Chelsea will still feel content with a point against Arsenal. Down to 10 men, they reacted well, scored, and then limited the league leaders, who struggled to open them up. Even after conceding, they made life difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Yet, precisely because of how strong they looked with a man less, Enzo Maresca is likely to see it as an opportunity missed at home to close the gap on top spot. The performance showed their potential, but also underlined how costly their lack of discipline has become.
Arsenal fix their own discipline as Chelsea search for consistency
Not long ago it was Arsenal who were paying the price for red cards in the title race. Last season they dropped points in three of their first eight league games, and in each of those matches they were reduced to 10 men.
This year the story is different. Their disciplinary record has improved significantly. They may have picked up six yellow cards in Sunday’s fiery London derby, but they finished with 11 players on the pitch again.
In fact, Arteta’s team have kept a full complement in all 20 games they have played across all competitions this season. That control under pressure is exactly the kind of example Chelsea need to follow if they want to turn promising performances into consistent results.
Discipline is only part of the problem for the Blues. Their inconsistency is just as damaging. The 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland, where no red card was involved, is a good example. A decent overall start could have looked far better if they had taken care of games like that.
Before the season, Chelsea were not widely seen as title favourites – more as a side that could hover around the top four. Their surprise Club World Cup win in the summer hinted at a higher ceiling, but even after their good league position, doubts remain. They can still win the Premier League, in theory, but they would need to improve far more than just their discipline to make that a realistic expectation.
Villa’s form, City’s defensive issues and Liverpool’s new target
Behind Arsenal, Aston Villa are probably the team in the best form. Unai Emery’s side are on an impressive run and look full of confidence. From last season’s top five, however, only Arsenal have shown real consistency. The other four – including Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea – have all been up and down.
Manchester City, now second in the table, also look less secure than in previous years. They are conceding too many chances and do not have the same defensive solidity that has underpinned their recent title wins. That uncertainty adds another twist to the race behind Arsenal but does not yet make them look like an unstoppable challenger.
Further back, Liverpool’s win over West Ham on Sunday was important, but it has not changed the feeling that they are unlikely to re-enter the title race. Their more realistic goal now is a place in the Champions League, something they should still be capable of with the quality in their squad.
Their performance at the weekend was one where the result mattered more than the style, given their recent run. In the end they managed to deliver both. Arne Slot was under pressure and took a big decision by leaving Mohamed Salah out, but it paid off.
It was also a significant moment for Alexander Isak, who scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. His half-volley finish was excellent and proved a turning point in the game. No one doubts his talent, so it was no shock to see him take that chance so well.
For Isak, it is now about getting fully fit after missing most of pre-season and about the team adapting to his movements and preferences. That process is still ongoing – just like the search, across the league, for a team truly ready to put sustained pressure on Arsenal at the top.
