Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca gives verdict on Moises Caicedo red card in explosive Arsenal draw

The Ecuador international, who initially protested his innocence, was given a yellow card before it was then upgraded to a red.

Three minutes after the restart, however, Chelsea went ahead with Trevoh Chalobah heading home following a superb delivery from Reece James.

Arsenal, however, came roaring back through Merino - with the Spaniard levelling after a brilliant cross from Bukayo Saka.

Both sides chased a winner but, in the end, there was nothing to separate them.

Maresca, when quizzed on Caicedo's moment of madness, admitted that the right call had been made by referee Anthony Taylor, though called for more consistency to be applied.

"I think he red card is the red card," he said.

"I struggle to understand the different ways to judge. What about [Rodrigo] Bentancur to Reece [against Tottenham]?

"Why is one a red card and one isn't? I think it's a red card tonight, it's clear. Why the difference? Is what it is.

"Moises is always the same way. Top player for us. The desire from him is to try and win the game.

"It's football. It's between Chelsea and Arsenal.

"You have to double the effort, that is the most important thing. We didn't change a lot on the ball. We tried to go to Liam. In open play, the idea was exactly the same.

"I think we are better than last season. We are closer. We'll see where we are in February and March and then we'll assess our target."

Maresca also doubled down that Chelsea are a team on the up, too, as they seek a first league crown since the days of Antonio Conte in 2017.

"You have to double the effort, that is the most important thing. We didn't change a lot on the ball. We tried to go to Liam. In open play, the idea was exactly the same.

"I think we are better than last season. We are closer. We'll see where we are in February and March and then we'll assess our target."

Maresca also doubled down that Chelsea are a team on the up, too, as they seek a first league crown since the days of Antonio Conte in 2017.

"I think we showed we are heading in the right direction. I always say the same. The performance has been fantastic," he continued.

"We were a much better team than them 11 v 11 but with 10 players, it is difficult but we dealt with it outstandingly.

"11 v 11, we were better than them. We tried to exploit the best solution, the best space. We knew the space was for Malo and Estevao on that side. Tonight we can be happy even if we didn't win.

Chelsea captain Reece James, meanwhile, admitted he wanted more.

"Disappointing to come away with only one point. We went down to 10 men pretty early in the game and that made it more difficult," he said.

"I think everyone can see where we are and what we are fighting for. I think today was a big statement. Even though we wanted to win, there are lots of positives to take."