Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates, with Mikel Merino scoring the only goal of the game to bring the Gunners within 12 points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Both teams were forced to adapt to key absences in their attacking lineup. Arsenal were without Kai Havertz, who has been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Chelsea missed Nicolas Jackson and their talisman Cole Palmer. This was the first time Chelsea had to play without Palmer since their crushing 5-0 defeat to Arsenal last season, making his absence all the more significant.
From the start, Arsenal took control of the match, with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice all coming close to scoring. Their breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Merino, once again deployed as a makeshift striker, flicked on a curling corner from Martin Ødegaard past a stretching Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea struggled to create clear chances but nearly found an equalizer when Marc Cucurella’s powerful strike slipped through David Raya’s hands, only for the ball to roll agonizingly past the post. At the other end, Sánchez, recently reinstated as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, had some nervy moments under pressure. His distribution was met with jeers from the home crowd, but he also pulled off an excellent second-half save to deny Merino a second goal.
Despite Chelsea’s late efforts, they couldn’t find a way back into the match, allowing Arsenal to claim a deserved win. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who remain atop the table, were not in league action this weekend as they were contesting the Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal’s victory keeps their faint title hopes alive, while Chelsea will be left wondering what might have been had Palmer been available to influence the game.
