Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has expressed disappointment with Arsenal’s performance during their 1-1 draw against ten-man Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League fixture, describing it as a “lame” and “tame” display that could haunt the Gunners later in the season.
Sutton believes Arsenal missed a prime opportunity to make a statement in the league by defeating the Blues, who were reduced to ten men after Moises Caicedo received a straight red card in the 38th minute for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino.
Despite the numerical advantage, it was Chelsea who opened the scoring three minutes into the second half, with Trevoh Chalobah heading home from a Reece James corner. Mikel Merino leveled for Arsenal in the 59th minute, but the north London side failed to capitalize further on their advantage.
“I back Arsenal, I still back Arsenal. But you didn’t go for the jugular again, you’ve been accused of that in the past. Is that a game like today where the title may get away from you?” Sutton said on BBC Radio Five Live.
“I think Mikel Arteta, it falls on him really, not positive enough. Wasn’t positive enough. Playing against 10 men of Chelsea for over a half? Go for the jugular Mikel! Come on!
“It was a great opportunity today, you have the numerical advantage. I think it’s an argument where in the past Arteta has been accused of being slightly negative in his approach when he plays the big teams.
“This was a great opportunity to go and nail Chelsea today and get three points. I don’t think they really pushed Chelsea back and worked Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal enough. You have the numerical advantage and it’s side-to-side. I just think it’s a chance missed.
“You might take that before the game, but if you don’t want to go for the jugular when you’ve got the numerical advantage then you’ve got a problem.
“The way the game panned out, Caicedo got sent off. You have a chance to make a statement to the rest of the Premier League, let’s wipe the floor with Chelsea.
“Caicedo made a mistake, let’s make him pay, let’s really widen the gap at the top of the Premier League. But you didn’t. You were lame, you were tame and that could cost you.”
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