Mikel Merino believed Moises Caicedo was deserving of his first-half red card in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday for a challenge he described as "horrible". 

Caicedo was handed his first Premier League dismissal in the 38th minute at Stamford Bridge for a studs-up tackle on Merino, which was initially deemed a yellow card offence. 

However, following a VAR review, referee Anthony Taylor upgraded his decision to a red, but despite going a man down, it was Enzo Maresca's side who hit the front after the break.

Trevoh Chalobah brilliantly headed Reece James' delivery beyond David Raya, but Arsenal hit back just before the hour when Merino rose highest to meet Bukayo Saka's cross.  Neither side, though, were able to find a winner.

Caicedo was the seventh Chelsea player to receive a red card against Arsenal in the Premier League, and the first since David Luiz in September 2017, with Merino believing the correct decision was made by the officials. 

"I felt my ankle go all the way, but luckily, I have very mobile ankles and body. I knew it was a horrible challenge, and it was going to be a red card," Merino told Sky Sports. 

Merino could have won it late on for the Gunners but saw his effort thwarted by Robert Sanchez, with Arsenal unable to make their man advantage count. 

They registered an expected goals (xG) total of 1.26 from eight shots, six of which came after the break, compared to Chelsea's 0.79 from their 11 overall attempts. 

It was also the first time since August 2010, in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, that Arsenal failed to win a top-flight game in which their opponents received a first-half red card. 

"On one hand, disappointed because we didn't win. When you wear this shirt, you want to win every game. This is a really tough stadium to come and take a point," added Merino, who is Arsenal's joint-top scorer in the Premier League in 2025 with eight goals, five of which have come with his head.

"We could have done things better but the team showed good mentality. Maybe managing the game better and understanding what they were trying to do.

"With 10 men, we could have had more patience with the ball. Trying to find the wings and cross with players in the box. Obviously, they are a good side."

Despite dropping points for the fourth time in the league this season, Arsenal are still the favourites to lift the Premier League title, according to the Opta supercomputer.

Mikel Arteta's team win the title in 79.1% of the season simulations, while their midweek victory over Bayern Munich also has them favourites to clinch a first European crown (24%). 

"Right from the beginning, you could sense how much was at stake. Every duel and action was full gas, very short sequences of play," Arteta added.

"With the 10 men we expected a different game, we plan it, we went through it in the second half. But they scored, then it becomes a very tricky game to play.

"I think that when you don't win against 10 men for 45 minutes you have to be disappointed. But you have to know the week we had, a tough opponent. 

"I'm disappointed obviously with not getting the three points against 10 men. But with everything that happened in the week, I think overall I just have to be very proud of what the team has done."