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Moises Caicedo was sent off for a nasty tackle on Mikel Merino, who later equalised after Trevoh Chalobah’s opening goal Arsenal would surely have taken a draw beforehand against a Chelsea team that have emerged as surprise title rivals in recent weeks – and especially when they realised they had to play without William Saliba, who injured himself in training on Saturday. It was a different story when everything changed in the 38th minute, Chelsea reduced to 10 men after Moisés Caicedo’s X-rated challenge on Mikel Merino. It was one of those that made you wince upon each replay, the stand-in Arsenal striker fortunate to emerge unscathed. We’re disappointed to come away with only a point. We had more of the ball 11 v 11 and I think today was a big statement – even though we wanted to win, there’s loads of positives to take from the game. There were seven or eight players on yellow cards so I thought there might be another red. It’s a London derby (smiles) – everyone wants to win this game. I haven’t seen the [Caicedo red card] yet. I’m proud of the boys. The atmosphere was electric. We take a point and move forward. In other news What It All Means ™ That’s all she wrote. Before the game this would have been a bad result for Chelsea. Now it feels like an iffy one for Arsenal, who played against 10 men for an hour after Moises Caicedo was sent off. Trevoh Chalobah headed Chelsea ahead, Mikel Merino equalised for Arsenal, who move five points clear at the top. 90+4 min Hincapie gets to the byline on the left and stands up a beautiful cross that is taken off Gyokeres’ head by his teammate Timber. That was a big chance, or would have been. 90+2 min Hincapie’s deep cross is headed down by Saka… who’s offside. 90 min There will be four minutes of added time. 88 min: Fine save by Sanchez! Merino’s shot from the edge of the area is superbly saved by Sanchez, who had to change direction very late in the day. The ball runs loose and Sanchez dives on it a split-second before Gyokeres whacks him in the hand and then the face. He is booked. 87 min A quick throw from Sanchez released Pedro Neto, who runs 60 yards before curling wide from the edge of the area. Chelsea still fancy their chances of winning this. 85 min Fernandez takes a return pass from Garnacho and tries to dance through the Arsenal defence. He’s denied by a good challenge on the edge of the area but Chelsea win the ball back. Gusto then overhits his cross. 82 min You still wouldn’t know it’s 11 v 10. I can’t decide whether Chelsea have been brilliant, Arsenal rubbish, or both. What I do know is that everyone you know, someday, will die Reece James has been majestic in midfield. 81 min “‘From a neutral perspective’, ” writes Nick, quoting something I wrote in the 73rd minute. “Really? ” Yep. I can happily confirm that I do not give a solitary one – about anything, never mind who wins this game. And if you think I’m an Arsenal fan, you can’t have seen my lamentable behaviour on 1 February 2005/ 79 min With the ball down the other end of the pitch, David Raya and Enzo Fernandez begin a Hegelian dialectic. No idea what it’s about but neither man looks full of the joys of human interaction. 78 min If it stays like this Arsenal will be five points ahead of Manchester City and six clear of Chelsea and Aston Villa. A fine position to be in, for sure, but this feels like a game to win. Saying which, as I type Delap smacks a fine shot from 22 yards that is saved to his left by the diving Raya. 77 min More of the same. Chelsea are doing a terrific job defensively, limiting Arsenal to very few openings, never mind chances. 73 min Apologies, we’re having a few technical problems. You haven’t missed much – Arsenal are huffing and puffing without creating any clear chances. But this, from a neutral perspective, reeks of a late, statement™ Arsenal winner. Oh, Viktor Gyokeres came on for Eberechi Eze as well. 66 min You wouldn’t really know it’s 11 v 10 from the balance of play – Chelsea are having plenty of the ball and certainly haven’t decided to play for a draw. 62 min If Arsenal win this game, and go on to win the league, the abundant noggin of Mikel Merino will have played a big part: he also headed the equaliser at Newcastle in a win that injected new life into Arsenal’s season. Makeshift striker my arse: Mikel Merino gives yet another demonstration of his finishing prowess, heading in emphatically from six yards after superb play by Bukayo Saka. He turned Cucurella and teased a beautiful cross to the far post, where Merino arrived decisively to score. 57 min: Arsenal substitutions Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard replace Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Martinelli. 55 min: Chelsea substitution Liam Delap replaces Joao Pedro up front. 54 min The outstanding Reece James gets away from Lewis-Skelly, who bundles him over and is booked. 54 min Still plenty of time for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta must be perturbed by their lack of penetration so far. He has plenty of options on the bench, including Messrs Odegaard, Gyokeres and Jesus. 50 min Saka’s shot takes a deflection off Cucurella; Sanchez scrambles past his near post to save the corner. James lofts the corner towards the near post, where Trevoh Chalobah helps the ball on and into the far corner of the net. Ten-man Chelsea are ahead! 47 min James flips the resulting free-kick to the far post, where Joao Pedro’s header is clawed round the post by Raya. No matter because… 46 min Ten seconds into the second half, Joao Pedro goes down holding his face after an aerial challenge with Hincapie. Hincapie, who has been booked, tried to win the ball with his head and caught Joao Pedro on the side of the face. Joao Pedro isn’t happy. 46 min Chelsea get the second half under way. Both teams have made a half-time substitution Chelsea Alejandro Garnacho for Estevao Arsenal Myles Lewis-Skelly for Riccardo Calafiori “Is it me, ” writes Kate, “or are those Chelsea puffer jackets giving strong tardigrade energy? ” I definitely didn’t have to google tardigrade. Nope. Half-time reading The last action of the half was Enzo Fernandez landing a hand on the chin of Mosquera as he tried to hold him off. VAR didn’t get involved this time; I’d like to see it again though. A rancid first half at Stamford Bridge was symbolised by the nasty challenge on Mikel Merino for which Moises Caicedo was given a straight red card. Chelsea were the more dangerous team when it was 11 v 11 but now Arsenal have a great chance to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. 45+1 min Arsenal break dangerously through Martinelli, who plays a one-two with Rice and drives a low shot from 20 yards. Sanchez sees it late but gets down smartly to his right to make a terrific one-handed save. 45+1 min There will be five minutes of additional filth. 45 min With Caicedo sent off, Chelsea have moved Fernandez a bit deeper in what is essentially a 4-4-1 formation. 44 min Chalobah has a burgeoning shiner, which he displays to the referee when he gets to his feet. 43 min “This, ” says Justin Kavanagh, “is Sunday league stuff (with no discernible midfield), played on a manicured pitch with a professional ref, who is, so far, its most impressive participant. ”