Arsenal edged past Chelsea with a narrow 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, keeping their Premier League title hopes alive while dealing a blow to Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was the hero of the match, scoring the only goal in the 20th minute. His header from Martin Ødegaard’s corner found the far post, securing three crucial points for the Gunners. The result pushed Arsenal further ahead in second place, closing the gap to league leaders Liverpool, who remain 12 points clear.
For Chelsea, the defeat was a significant setback in their pursuit of a top-four finish. The absence of key player Cole Palmer due to illness was felt, as the Blues struggled to create clear chances. Despite still holding onto fourth place, they now face strong competition, with five teams—ranging from Manchester City in fifth to Aston Villa in ninth—within just four points of them.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have faced difficulties in attack since losing Kai Havertz to a season-ending injury. This has forced Merino to play in a more advanced role, and he delivered when needed, making the difference in an otherwise quiet game.
Chelsea had few opportunities to equalize but came close when Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya mishandled a shot from Marc Cucurella, nearly allowing the ball to roll into the net. At the other end, Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez made a crucial save in the second half to deny Merino a second goal.
However, the match failed to produce much excitement, with both teams struggling to create chances. For Chelsea, the defeat only increases the pressure on manager Enzo Maresca, as fans continue to question his tactical approach.
