Three games Moises Caicedo will miss for Chelsea after reckless red card vs Arsenal

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off against Arsenal after VAR showed slow-motion replays of the midfielder's mistimed challenge to Anthony Taylor

Moises Caicedo will miss three Premier League games for Chelsea after being shown a red card in the Blues' clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Referee Anthony Taylor initially showed Caicedo a yellow card after the 24-year-old mistimed a challenge on Mikel Merino. However, VAR intervened and, after going to the monitor, Taylor upgraded the punishment to a red.

Despite the first-half setback, Chelsea went on to score first through Trevoh Chalobah. Arsenal equalised shortly after and the game ended 1-1, with the Gunners’ lead at the top reduced by one point after Manchester City picked up three points over the weekend.

If a player is sent off for serious foul play, which Caicedo’s tackle was deemed to be, they receive an automatic three-match suspension. In exceptional circumstances this can be extended, but that is unlikely for the midfielder.

Matches Moises Caicedo will miss for Chelsea

Leeds vs Chelsea - Wednesday December 3

Bournemouth vs Chelsea - Saturday December 6

Chelsea vs Everton - Saturday December 13

The Blues have a busy run coming up, with Enzo Maresca’s side playing four games in the next 12 days. Although the Chelsea boss won't ever want to be without Caicedo, he certainly wouldn't have wanted the suspension to land just as the festive period begins.

Between Bournemouth and Everton, Chelsea will travel to Italy to face Atalanta in the Champions League. Fortunately for Caicedo, domestic red cards do not carry over into Europe, meaning he will be available for selection.

If the Blues are to maintain a serious title charge, they will be targeting nine points from the three Premier League matches Caicedo will miss.

They face a struggling Leeds side sitting 18th after four straight defeats. Bournemouth follow, and despite their strong start, they are winless in their last four as well. Finally, Caicedo will sit out the clash with an inconsistent Everton team.

For Maresca, Caicedo’s return will arrive in the nick of time as they head into a tougher run. After Everton, Chelsea face Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City in the space of 15 days.

Regarding Caicedo’s sending off, Maresca agreed with the decision. He said: “I think red card is red card. The only thing I struggle to understand is the different way to judge because what about [Rodrigo] Bentancur against Reece [James]? It’s the exact same foul.”

He continued: “I think Moises is always the same — a top player for us. The desire from him was the desire from all the players to try to do their best and win the game. It’s football between Chelsea and Arsenal. It’s completely normal.”

On how Chelsea adapted after the red card, Maresca added: “You have to double the effort. Then in terms of on the ball, with 10 players every time Robert had the ball we tried to go to Liam even though usually we go short. But in open play it was exactly the same.”