Mikel Merino’s lone goal secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Arsenal over Chelsea, narrowing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points.
Both sides were without their first-choice strikers—Arsenal’s Kai Havertz sidelined for the season with a hamstring injury, while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was also unavailable.
Arsenal, with Merino deployed as a makeshift striker, controlled the early proceedings. Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice all came close to breaking the deadlock.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute when Merino deftly flicked Martin Ødegaard’s curling corner past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, sealing a vital win for the Gunners.
