Claiming London bragging rights on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Merino’s first-half header was sufficient to pull Arsenal to a 1-0 victory towards Chelsea.
Doing all the early urgent and nearly carving the Blues aside, Mikel Arteta’s aspect took a deserved lead after 20 minutes as Merino glanced on a curling nook from Martin Odegaard previous a stretching Robert Sanchez.
Nonetheless, nonetheless coping with an attacking disaster on the Emirates, Arsenal didn’t construct on their early lead as they struggled to search out any actual fluidity within the last third.
Chelsea had been nearly handed a free ticket again into the sport minutes earlier than the interval as Marc Cucurella’s pushed effort slipped by way of David Raya’s clutches and narrowly rolled previous the publish.
In a contest the place golden alternatives had been typically exhausting to come back by, Arsenal managed to cling onto a primary Premier League win since February fifteenth.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory has moved the Gunners 12 factors adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool as they enter March’s worldwide break.
As for Chelsea, whereas the Blues would possibly nonetheless be clinging onto their spot within the Champions League locations, they’ve now collected simply two factors from any of their final seven top-flight showdowns away from Stamford Bridge.
On a Sunday afternoon when Arsenal dragged themselves to London bragging rights, now we have taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors from the Emirates.
Arsenal declare a home enhance
Reserving their Champions League quarter-final spot earlier within the week as they claimed a sensational 9-3 combination win towards Dutch outfit PSV, it’s no secret that Arsenal have positioned all of their eggs within the European basket.
Nonetheless, sat 12 factors adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool and watching their Premier League title desires go up in smoke for an additional season, Arteta’s squad would have been relived to assert a home enhance right here.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown on the Emirates with no win from any of their earlier three Premier League appearances, the Gunners had some severe stress on their shoulders right here.
Choosing up only a second victory towards Premier League opposition since a well-known 5-1 romp towards soon-to-be former champions Manchester Metropolis on February 2nd, Arsenal will merely be hoping to search out some stability once they return from March’s fortnight break.
Arteta’s aspect gained’t be seen once more in Premier League motion till April 1st once they welcomed Fulham to the Emirates for an additional native derby.
Chelsea’s nightmare rut on the highway continues
Whereas Chelsea might need come flying out of the traps following Enzo Maresca’s arrival arrival at Stamford Bridge final summer season, Sunday’s company have come crashing again right down to earth over the previous couple of months.
Regardless of nonetheless clinging onto their spot within the top-four, the previous Leicester boss has come below some mounting scrutiny round west London.
Watching their FA Cup journey come to an finish on February eighth due to a 2-1 loss away at Brighton, Chelsea have gained an undesirable popularity for his or her obtrusive points on the highway.
The truth is, on what has develop into a record-breaking rut outdoors of west London, the Blues have misplaced all of their earlier 5 consecutive away fixtures towards Premier League opposition throughout all competitions.
Failing to assert a lift earlier than heading into March’s worldwide break, Maresca’s squad have additionally registered only a pair of factors from their final seven consecutive Premier League showdowns away from Stamford Bridge.
Merino is Arsenal’s saviour once more
Whereas Arsenal might need welcomed again Brazilian worldwide Gabriel Martinelli again from a muscle harm forward of schedule this month, the Gunners are nonetheless coping with a public harm disaster in north London.
With Bukayo Saka nonetheless sidelined after present process hamstring surgical procedure throughout the festive interval, Arteta’s aspect have additionally confirmed that each Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season.
Shockingly not bringing in a brand new quantity 9 throughout the January switch window, Merino has accomplished a stellar job of main the road in what has been an extremely unorthodox function for the ex-Actual Sociedad midfielder.
Bagging the first-half winner right here due to what was a sensible flicked header, the Spanish worldwide has rightfully acquired a string of reward from Arteta.
Notching a brace away at Leicester on February fifteenth and dragging the Gunners to a 2-0 victory, Merino has now notched 4 targets in his earlier seven appearances throughout all competitions.
Match Report
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Martinelli, Merino
Subs: Tierney, Nwaneri
Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, James, Fernandez, Sancho, Nkunku, Neto
Subs: Lavia, Gusto, Dewsbury-Corridor, Adarabioyo, George
Targets: Merino (20’)
Yellow Playing cards: Arsenal: Gabriel, Odegaard, Partey – Chelsea: Colwill, Fofana, Neto
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
