‘What a player’ – Harry Redknapp praises ‘top class’ Chelsea star after Arsenal draw

Harry Redknapp named two Chelsea players in his Premier League team of the week after a battling draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had aspirations of cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to just three points going into Sunday’s derby in west London.

But Chelsea’s ambitions changed after Moises Caicedo, arguably the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League, was sent off before half-time for a dangerous tackle on Arsenal’s Mikel Merino.

Ten-man Chelsea took a surprise lead shortly after the break through Trevoh Chalobah’s header but Merino equalised for the visitors ten minutes later.

Premier League leaders Arsenal were fancied to go on and find a winner at that stage but Chelsea kept Mikel Arteta’s side at bay to clinch a 1-1 draw.

That was a more than satisfactory outcome given their numerical disadvantage, although it did mean Chelsea failed to move back above Manchester City who climbed to second with a dramatic 3-2 win over Leeds United on Saturday.

Ex-Premier League manager Redknapp was hugely impressed by Chelsea’s battling performance against the title favourites and reserved special praise for ‘top class’ Reece James and ‘excellent’ Robert Sanchez.

‘Robert Sanchez is a lad that’s come in for some stick down the years at Chelsea, but there’s no doubt he had an excellent game against Arsenal,’ Redknapp told BetVictor.

‘That was a great point for Chelsea in the end, and he was vital for it, making some top saves in the game.

‘Reece James was playing in midfield again here and boy, what a player he is. He was top class against Arsenal, driving and leading his side from midfield.

‘Whether it’s right-back or in the centre of the park, I don’t see many better footballers than him. No one’s ever questioned this lad’s talent; it’s just the injuries have always been a concern.’

The derby stalemate means Chelsea remain six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are seeking their first league title since 2004.

Chelsea have been named as ‘dark horses’ to win the title by some pundits but Alan Shearer believes the Blues are still a fair way behind Arsenal.

‘I didn’t have Chelsea down as title contenders before the season started – I had them as being in and around the top four – but then I didn’t think they would win the Club World Cup in the summer, and they surprised me there,’ Shearer told BBC Sport.

‘It probably suits them that no-one really has them down as title contenders now, either, even though Sunday’s game was first versus second going into the weekend.

‘They are still in a good position after their draw, but do I think they will win the Premier League from here? No, I don’t.

‘Can they win it? Yes, of course… but they would need to improve more than just their disciplinary record for that to happen.

‘It is their inconsistency that has cost them more than anything, in games like their 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland where a red card was not to blame, because what has been a decent start to the season for them could have been even better.’

Chelsea will hope to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City when they travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Wednesday night.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will look to get back to winning ways against in-form Brentford, who beat Burnley 3-1 last time out.

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