Arsenal edged Chelsea 1-0, securing their first Premier League win in four games. Mikel Merino's header from a corner sealed the victory, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool. Chelsea, missing Cole Palmer, struggled offensively. Despite late pressure, Arsenal held firm for a crucial three points.
Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates, ending their three-game winless run in the Premier League. Mikel Merino’s first-half header from a well-delivered Martin Ødegaard corner proved decisive as the Gunners tightened their grip on a top-four finish.
Chelsea, already struggling with poor away form, were dealt a further blow before kickoff when key player Cole Palmer was ruled out. The Blues failed to capitalize on Manchester City’s earlier slip-up, putting their Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy.
The hosts started aggressively, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli testing Chelsea’s shaky defense. Robert Sánchez had a nervous start, nearly gifting Arsenal an early lead. Despite a dominant first half, the Gunners couldn’t break through until Merino’s glancing header found the far corner, finally ending their long run without a goal from a corner kick.
Chelsea struggled to respond, lacking creativity in the final third. Their best chance came late in the game when Marc Cucurella’s volley slipped through David Raya’s gloves but rolled just wide.
As tensions flared, Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill picked up bookings for reckless tackles, reflecting Chelsea’s frustration. Arsenal, however, remained composed, closing out the game professionally to secure three crucial points.
With this result, Arsenal reduce the gap to league leaders Liverpool while Chelsea’s top-four ambitions take another hit. The Blues must find solutions quickly to regain their momentum in the race for European football.
