James says 10-man Chelsea ‘dominated’ leaders Arsenal

Chelsea captain Reece James reckons his “dominant” side made a statement in holding Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw despite losing Moises Caicedo to a first-half red card.

The Blues had been the better team at Stamford Bridge on Sunday before the sending-off of Caicedo in the 36th minute for a studs-up tackle on Mikel Merino and then prevented their London rivals from pulling clear.

Defeat would have left Chelsea nine points behind Arsenal and all but out of the title race.

But Enzo Maresca’s men went ahead through Trevor Chalobah’s header early in the second half despite being a man down.

Merino equalised for Arsenal just before the hour but Chelsea dug in and held out in difficult circumstances.

“We dominated the game in every area throughout, with 11 men and 10 men,” said James.

“I think that was a big statement on where we are and what we’re fighting for. We’ve come a long way, we’re building on result after result and I think we showed that.”

Chelsea’s resilience was in marked contrast to the two previous occasions this season when they had gone a man down in the first half, with the Blues losing to Manchester United and Brighton after Robert Sanchez and Chalobah saw red.

“I’m proud,” said James. “The team is so young but we went toe to toe with the team at the top of the Premier League. We didn’t show fear and we tried to come out to win.

“We knew it was going to be tough but it was a game we felt we probably could have won. It was difficult to only walk away with a point. We played 60 minutes with 10 men, having to cope with the league leaders.”

For Arsenal, now five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, it was a tough end to a week that had seen the Gunners post important wins over both Tottenham and Bayern Munich.

“It’s been a massive week for us,” said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, a second-half substitute after returning from a knee injury.

“Some big games, some big results. This was another big test for us. We wanted to come here and finish off the week with a win but it was a tough battle.

“They were fighting really hard for it and we didn’t do enough to win.”

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s deeper squad was helping the Premier League leaders cope with their “worst” run of injuries as he prepares for Wednesday’s match against Brentford.

Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have recently returned from injury but Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz face weeks more on the sidelines.

Winger Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are doubts to face Brentford but Arsenal manager Arteta said Tuesday he expected them back “within days”.

Arsenal were also badly hampered by injuries last season, with their lack of forward options blamed for an inability to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title.

“This season has been the worst in some areas, especially in the front line, and now what’s happening with the back line,” Arteta told reporters.

“But we learn and we were able to put together a squad that is much more reliable and has more options.

“We learned from the past as well that we have to use players in different positions and they have to be able to fulfil different roles if we want to compete at this level and the example of Mikel (Merino) is the best one, probably.”

The Spain midfielder, who arrived from Real Sociedad in 2024, was regularly used as a striker last season, scoring nine goals in all competitions.

During the summer transfer window Arsenal made major reinforcements, bringing in Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Eberechi Eze, Madueke and Gyokeres.

Those extra resources have given Arteta more options and they have opened up a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Saliba missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea having suffered a knock in training.

“He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow (against Brentford),” Arteta said.

Trossard was another player who missed the match at Stamford Bridge but Arteta said the winger would also be back “in a matter of days”.

Arteta urged fans at the Emirates on Wednesday to give full-throated support to his team against 10th-placed Brentford.

“Everybody at the Emirates to go again and beat Brentford,” he said. “It’s vital, massive.”

Agencies