Wright, Zola Agree on Caicedo Red Card as Chelsea Go Down to 10 Men Against Arsenal

Premier League icons Ian Wright and Gianfranco Zola have both backed the decision to send off Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo during Sunday’s high-intensity London derby against Arsenal.

The Ecuadorian midfielder was first shown a yellow card in the 38th minute for a challenge on Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, but a VAR review upgraded the decision to a straight red card, leaving Chelsea with a mountain to climb.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Wright — the former Arsenal striker — did not mince words:
“I still think that’s a red,” he said. “Taylor has been very busy. He’s issued six cards already — the most in a Premier League half this season.”

Zola, a Chelsea legend, also acknowledged the seriousness of the tackle, even while trying to defend the intentions of his former club’s midfielder.

“He was clearly going for the ball,” Zola admitted.
“But Merino got there first, and it ended up being a bad tackle. For sure, that’s a red card — no doubt about it.”

At the time of filing this report, the match stood 1–1, with both teams fighting desperately for control.
An Arsenal win would extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, while a Chelsea victory could cut the gap to just three points.

OPINION: A Harsh Lesson for Caicedo — and a Bigger Warning for Chelsea

Caicedo’s red card is more than just a moment of poor judgment — it reflects a pattern Chelsea must urgently fix. The Ecuadorian has struggled with consistency since his big-money arrival, and moments like this only amplify the pressure.

Yes, he went for the ball. Yes, the intent wasn’t malicious. But in today’s Premier League, intent doesn’t erase impact. The studs were high, the timing was late, and Merino’s safety was compromised. That is exactly the kind of challenge VAR was created to correct.

For Chelsea, the sending-off also exposed a deeper issue: emotional control. Big games require calm heads, and once again they found themselves battling chaos of their own making.

Arsenal, meanwhile, know how to punish teams who fall apart — and if the Gunners seize the momentum, this red card could be the turning point in the title race narrative.

Chelsea need discipline. Caicedo needs composure.
And the Premier League? It simply demands better.