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

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 highest of the table to only three points going into Sunday’s derby in west London.

But Chelsea’s ambitions modified after Moises Caicedo, arguably the most effective defensive midfielder within 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 discover a winner at that stage but Chelsea kept Mikel Arteta’s side at bay to clinch a 1-1 draw.

That was a greater than satisfactory final result given their numerical drawback, even though it did mean Chelsea didn’t 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 are available in for some stick down the years at Chelsea, but there’s little question he had a wonderful game against Arsenal,’ Redknapp told BetVictor.

‘That was an excellent point for Chelsea in the long run, and he was vital for it, making some top saves in the sport.

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

‘Whether it’s right-back or within the centre of the park, I don’t see many higher footballers than him. Nobody’s ever questioned this lad’s talent; it’s just the injuries have at all times been a priority.’

The derby stalemate means Chelsea remain six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who’re searching for 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 good way behind Arsenal.

‘I didn’t have Chelsea down as title contenders before the season began – I had them as being in and across the top 4 – but then I didn’t think they might win the Club World Cup in the summertime, they usually surprised me there,’ Shearer told BBC Sport.

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

‘They’re still in position after their draw, but do I believe they’ll win the Premier League from here? No, I don’t.

‘Can they win it? Yes, in fact… but they would want to enhance greater than just their disciplinary record for that to occur.

‘It’s their inconsistency that has cost them greater than anything, in games like their 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland where a red card was not accountable, because what has been an honest begin to the season for them might have been even higher.’

Chelsea will hope to maintain the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City after 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 outing.

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