Claiming London bragging rights on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Merino’s first-half header was sufficient to pull Arsenal to a 1-0 victory in opposition to Chelsea.
Doing the entire early urgent and nearly carving the Blues aside, Mikel Arteta’s facet took a deserved lead after 20 minutes as Merino glanced on a curling nook from Martin Odegaard previous a stretching Robert Sanchez.
Nevertheless, nonetheless coping with an attacking disaster on the Emirates, Arsenal did not construct on their early lead as they struggled to search out any actual fluidity within the last third.
Chelsea have been nearly handed a free ticket again into the sport minutes earlier than the interval as Marc Cucurella’s pushed effort slipped via David Raya’s clutches and narrowly rolled previous the put up.
In a contest the place golden alternatives have been typically exhausting to return 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, we have now taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors from the Emirates.
Arsenal declare a home increase
Reserving their Champions League quarter-final spot earlier within the week as they claimed a sensational 9-3 combination win in opposition to Dutch outfit PSV, it’s no secret that Arsenal have positioned all of their eggs within the European basket.
Nevertheless, sat 12 factors adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool and watching their Premier League title goals go up in smoke for an additional season, Arteta’s squad would have been relived to assert a home increase right here.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown on the Emirates and not using a win from any of their earlier three Premier League appearances, the Gunners had some critical stress on their shoulders right here.
Selecting up only a second victory in opposition to Premier League opposition since a well-known 5-1 romp in opposition to soon-to-be former champions Manchester Metropolis on February 2nd, Arsenal will merely be hoping to search out some stability after they return from March’s fortnight break.
Arteta’s facet received’t be seen once more in Premier League motion till April 1st after they welcomed Fulham to the Emirates for an additional native derby.
Chelsea’s nightmare rut on the street continues
Whereas Chelsea might need come flying out of the traps following Enzo Maresca’s arrival arrival at Stamford Bridge final summer time, Sunday’s company have come crashing again all the way 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 underneath 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 repute for his or her obvious points on the street.
Actually, on what has grow to be a record-breaking rut outdoors of west London, the Blues have misplaced all of their earlier 5 consecutive away fixtures in opposition to 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 in the course of the festive interval, Arteta’s facet 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 in the course of the January switch window, Merino has performed 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 wise flicked header, the Spanish worldwide has rightfully obtained 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 objectives 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
Objectives: Merino (20’)
Yellow Playing cards: Arsenal: Gabriel, Odegaard, Partey – Chelsea: Colwill, Fofana, Neto
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Chris Kavanagh