Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea in an intense London derby on Sunday.
A first-half header from Mikel Merino proved to be the difference in a game filled with energy, tension, and drama.
The win helped the Gunners reduce Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Merino’s Header Breaks the Deadlock
The only goal of the game came in the 20th minute when Merino rose highest to meet Martin Odegaard’s corner, sending a powerful header past Chelsea’s goalkeeper.
The goal ended Arsenal’s long run without scoring from a corner, a streak that had stretched for months. It also marked their 15th set-piece goal of the season.
Chelsea, missing key attacker Cole Palmer due to injury, struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half.
Arsenal dominated possession and nearly doubled their lead when a penalty appeal for a Marc Cucurella handball was waved away by the referee.
Despite Chelsea’s slow start, they had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute when Cucurella’s strike almost sneaked past David Raya, but the Arsenal goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep his team ahead.
Second Half Turns Into a Physical Battle
The second half saw fewer goal-scoring opportunities but was filled with physical battles. Seven yellow cards were handed out as both teams fought aggressively for every ball.
Arsenal came close to scoring again when Merino found himself in front of goal, but Chelsea’s goalkeeper denied him with a sharp save at the near post.
Chelsea’s struggles in attack were evident as they managed just one weak header on target in the second half. Without a natural striker on the field, both teams found it hard to convert their chances into goals.
Arteta Praises Match-Winner Merino
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Merino, who stepped up in an unfamiliar role.
“It was an emergency situation for us, but the way he approached it was incredible. He wants to learn, improve, and help the team,” Arteta said. “He has never played in this role before, but he is winning us games.”
Arteta also highlighted Arsenal’s defensive performance, praising the team’s ability to stop Chelsea’s attacking threats.
“They are one of the best attacking teams in the league. But today, we defended well, worked hard, and deserved the win.”
Maresca: Chelsea Are on the Right Path
Despite the defeat, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca remained optimistic about his team’s progress.
“Compared to the first leg against Arsenal, we have improved a lot. We are on the right path, and we are very close to competing at the highest level,” Maresca said.
He pointed out that injuries have affected Chelsea’s attacking power, with key forwards missing from the squad.
“Without Palmer, Jackson, and Madueke, we struggled in attack. But we are still among the best attacking teams in the league, which shows we are doing something right.”
What This Means for the Premier League Race
With this win, Arsenal kept their title hopes alive and maintained pressure on Liverpool. The Gunners now look forward to their next fixtures as they aim to overtake the league leaders.
For Chelsea, the defeat was another setback in their inconsistent season. However, Maresca remains confident that his team will be a major threat next season once key players return from injury.
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