Former Chelsea striker blasts Mikel Arteta for Arsenal's 'lame, tame' performance

Arsenal remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton feels Arsenal missed a chance to make a statement against 10-man Chelsea, producing a ‘lame’ and ‘tame’ performance in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

It was a feisty London derby, which saw the Gunners being shown six yellow cards and the Blues just one but, crucially, one straight red.

Moises Caicedo was dismissed on 38 minutes for a dangerous lunge on Mikel Merino.

The Ecuadorian was initially shown a yellow, but after a VAR intervention it was upgraded to red and Chelsea were down to 10 for more than half the match.

Despite being behind, Trevoh Chalobah headed the Blues in front on 48 minutes, nodding in a Reece James corner.

Merino equalised on 59 minutes but could not find a winner despite having the extra man, finishing the match with four shots on target, the same number as Chelsea.

Sutton still thinks Arsenal will win the Premier League title this season, but saw the draw as dropped points for them on Sunday and lays the blame with Mikel Arteta for not being aggressive enough in the second half.

Mikel Arteta were held despite having the extra man (Picture: Getty Images)

‘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!

He added: ‘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.

Moises Caicedo made a very rash challenge on Mikel Merino (Picture: Getty Images)

‘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.

Trevor Chalboh headed Chelsea ahead (Picture: Getty)

Reece James was a monster in the middle of the park (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Merino levelled for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)