Theo Walcott aims dig at Arsenal star after Chelsea draw: ‘He’s too nice’

Theo Walcott conceded Arsenal missed a big opportunity to lay down a significant marker after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League leaders still maintain a five point lead at the top but they looked unusually vulnerable against a Chelsea side who were forced to play with 10 men for over an hour following Moises Caicedo’s red card.

Chelsea took a shock lead at the start of the second half through Trevoh Chalobah but Mikel Merino’s equaliser ultimately rescued a point that ensured a share of the spoils.

Despite their numerical advantage the visitors struggled to carve out opportunities but came within a whisker of a huge win in injury-time when Viktor Gyokeres, making his return from injury, had the ball taken off his head by teammate Jurrien Timber.

The summer signing from Sporting Lisbon looked destined to convert Piero Hincapie’s deep cross, only for Timber to jump the queue and divert his effort wide of target.

‘This is when you get desperate towards the end of games and you want to commit loads of bodies forward,’ a frustrated Walcott told Sky Sports.

‘You always feel though if a right-back is in this position, I’d be asking questions if I was Gyokeres here and saying look this is my space this is why I’m on the pitch.

Metro at the Match: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

From Stamford Bridge, Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Caicedo sees Red

The big midfield match-up between Rice and Caicedo fizzled out before half-time when the latter was sent off for a poor challenge on Merino. The Ecuadorian was solid up until that point, but his red card stunted what had been an impressive first half from the hosts.

Estevao shows his age

Estevao lit up Stamford Bridge in midweek against Barcelona but spurned one golden opportunity and was otherwise kept quiet by Calafiori before making way at the break. Perhaps a sign from Chelsea fans to not expect the world from this mercurial teenager just yet.

James delivers a captain’s performance

A true captain’s display from James in front of his home fans. Ran the show in midfield, even before Caicedo’s departure, and continued in that vein after the break, providing the assist for Chalobah’s goal with a superb set-piece delivery.

Chelsea match ratings: Sanchez 7, Gusto 7, Fofana 5, Chalobah 7, Cucurella 7, James 9, Caicedo 3, Estevao 5, Enzo 6, Neto 7, Joao Pedro 6. Subs: Garnacho 6, Delap 6.

Merino the makeshift no more

Viktor Gyokeres was a welcome return to the Arsenal bench, but might he have to wait for his opportunity? Mikel Merino continues to exceed expectations leading the line, and showed true striker’s instinct to ghost behind Fofana and head Arsenal level.

Hincapie up for the fight

Starting his second successive league game, it’s clear to see what Arsenal saw in Hincapie. The left-footed centre-back is rough around the edges, but a bundle of aggression in both boxes, and virtually licked his lips with enjoyment after dispossessing Neto inside his own box.

Arsenal match ratings: Raya 6, Timber 7, Mosquera 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 7, Rice 7, Zubimendi 6, Eze 6, Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Merino 8. Subs: Lewis-Skelly 7, Madueke 6, Odegaard 6, Gyokeres 6.

‘But look, he’s been doing it all season but he’d be disappointed. Gyokeres would have been calling it no doubt but it just annoys me when players are out of position but I understand why Arsenal committed so many bodies.

‘Gyokeres is too nice sometimes I think.’

A draw, meanwhile, was no disaster for the Gunners especially on the back of demanding week which saw them comprehensively win the north London derby and extend their perfect record in Europe with a victory against Bayern Munich.

‘Right from the beginning you could sense how much was at stake.

‘Every duel and action was full gas, very short sequences of play. With the 10 men we expected a different game, we plan it, we went through it in the second half. They get a free kick and they score.

‘Then it becomes a very tricky game to play. Overall I think that when you don’t win with 10 men for 45 minutes you have to be disappointed. But you have to know the week we had, a tough opponent.

They did everything they can again. They’ve never played together so we need to build that synergy.

‘There were a lot of things happening before the game. The spirit of the team is in tact.

‘We’ve had a massive week both mentally and physically and I think overall it’s a positive week.;