Claiming London bragging rights on Sunday afternoon, Mikel Merino’s first-half header was sufficient to tug Arsenal to a 1-0 victory towards Chelsea.
Doing the entire early urgent and virtually 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 remaining third.
Chelsea had been virtually handed a free ticket again into the sport minutes earlier than the interval as Marc Cucurella’s pushed effort slipped by David Raya’s clutches and narrowly rolled previous the submit.
In a contest the place golden alternatives had been typically arduous 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 may 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’ve taken a have a look at the principle 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 towards 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 desires go up in smoke for one more season, Arteta’s squad would have been relived to assert a home increase right here.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown on the Emirates with out a win from any of their earlier three Premier League appearances, the Gunners had some severe strain 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 facet gained’t be seen once more in Premier League motion till April 1st once they welcomed Fulham to the Emirates for one more 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 beneath some mounting scrutiny round west London.
Watching their FA Cup journey come to an finish on February eighth because of a 2-1 loss away at Brighton, Chelsea have gained an undesirable status for his or her evident points on the street.
In actual fact, 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 damage forward of schedule this month, the Gunners are nonetheless coping with a public damage disaster in north London.
With Bukayo Saka nonetheless sidelined after present process hamstring surgical procedure throughout 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 throughout the January switch window, Merino has finished 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 because of what was a sensible 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
Targets: Merino (20’)
Yellow Playing cards: Arsenal: Gabriel, Odegaard, Partey – Chelsea: Colwill, Fofana, Neto
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Chris Kavanagh