Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino expressed relief after a dangerous tackle from Chelsea's Moises Caicedo during their Premier League match on 30/11/2024. The incident in the 38th minute saw Caicedo lunging in and stepping directly on Merino's ankle, leading to a direct red card after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

"I felt my ankle completely dislocated, but luckily, it and my body are very flexible," Merino told Sky Sports after the match at Stamford Bridge. "I wasn't worried about my safety, but it was clearly a terrible tackle and definitely deserved an immediate red card."

Despite the scare, Merino quickly recovered. After receiving treatment, he continued to play, even scoring a crucial equalizer in the 59th minute, a header that made the score 1-1. He played the entire match, showcasing remarkable resilience.

Caicedo stepped on Merino's ankle during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Premier League round 13 on 30/11/2024. *Sky Sports*.

The match was intense, with the referee issuing seven yellow cards in addition to Caicedo's red, six of which went to Arsenal. Merino acknowledged the physical nature of the Premier League, especially in a London derby. He stated he understood and accepted the aggressive play as part of the league's identity.

"This is the Premier League," the Spanish midfielder explained. "It's very intense, which explains why there are so many transitions. If you win a challenge, you can attack the penalty area."

Despite playing with a man advantage from the end of the first half, Arsenal struggled to capitalize. Chelsea maintained pressure and even took the lead in the 48th minute through Trevoh Chalobah's header.

Merino admitted that earning points at Stamford Bridge was challenging, expressing a wish that Arsenal could have played better, maintained more control, and neutralized Chelsea's aggressive style. "They are clearly a strong opponent and showed good spirit," he added.

Merino celebrated Arsenal's equalizer in Premier League round 13 on 30/11/2024. *Offside*.

Merino is recognized as one of Arsenal's most versatile and experienced players. Beyond his primary role as a midfielder, the 29-year-old effectively plays as a striker, thanks to his height, ball control, and finishing ability. He has scored 13 goals in 63 appearances for "the Gunners."

Merino also has a knack for scoring for the Spanish national team, with 10 goals in 41 matches. He scored the decisive goal in the Euro 2024 quarter-final 2-1 victory over Germany and a hat-trick in the 6-0 win against Turkey in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

By Thanh Quy (according to Sky Sports)