Why Arsenal will be hit with huge FA fine after Chelsea draw

Phil Haigh Published December 1, 2025 9:31am Updated December 1, 2025 9:31am Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-ARSENAL

It was a physical London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea were down to 10 men but it is Arsenal that will receive a fine for their conduct after the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The feisty London derby ended level after Trevoh Chalobah put the home side ahead and Mikel Merino equalised for the visitors.

Both goals came in the second half after a red card for Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo before the interval.

The Ecuadorian was initially booked for his late challenge on Merino, but after VAR intervened it was upgraded to red and he was dismissed.

Other than Caicedo’s red, Chelsea only received one other card in the match, with Marc Cucurella picking up a booking.

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In contrast, six Arsenal players were shown yellow cards and that is set to hit the club in the pocket.

FA rules dictate that if a team receives six or more yellow cards in a single match, the club will be fined £25,000.

Viktor Gyokeres was booked for a challenge on Robert Sanchez (Picture: Getty Images)

Martin Zubimendi, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera were all booked for the Gunners, as were substitutes Viktor Gyokeres and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

It was an unusual day for the Gunners on this front as they have been one of the most disciplined teams in the top flight so far this season.

The six yellow cards at Stamford Bridge took their tally for the campaign to 18, with only Newcastle (13) and Manchester United (16) receiving fewer bookings.

Piero Hincapie was one of the six Arsenal players booked (Picture: Getty Images)

Bournemouth have picked up the most yellow cards with 35, ahead of Brighton on 33.

Caicedo’s red card is Chelsea’s fourth of the Premier League season, with no other team picking up more than two and Arsenal yet to have a player sent-off.

The Blues have also received a red card in the Champions League this, with Joao Pedro sent-off against Benfica, but Maresca said there would be no punishment for his ill-disciplined players.

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Robert Sanchez was shown red against Manchester United in September (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I’m not that kind of manager to punish players,’ he said in October. ‘I don’t think it’s the right way to do things. I prefer to help them to understand, and then do the right things. They are all different kinds of red cards, but if you concede four or five it’s something that we have to improve.

‘I have four kids and when they do something wrong, I don’t punish them. I try to teach them to do the right things. I try to treat the players in the same way.

‘I think the players have a system inside the changing room, so a fine is something that they manage.’

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