Arsenal v Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Mikel Merino makes the difference
Arsenal closed the gap to Liverpool at the top of the table to 12 points after a scrappy, nervy affair at the Emirates
Arsenal reduced their deficit to Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points with a game in hand as they beat Chelsea 1-0 in a scrappy encounter at the Emirates.
Mikel Merino, again playing as a striker, made the difference with a glancing header to convert a Martin Odegaard cross for the game’s only goal.
His 20th-minute strike was to be one of few on target as both sides struggled in front of goal, with both keepers nearly caught out at times and Marc Cucurella - himself lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for handball early in the first half - Chelsea’s biggest threat.
As is often the case it was a feisty London derby so far between two Premier League rivals, but ultimately it was Arsenal in the driving seat, and they extended their unbeaten league run over the Blues - who were missing Cole Palmer due to injury - to seven games. second in the league and Chelsea just six points off them in fourth.
Relieve all the action from Arsenal v Chelsea below:
HALF-TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Half-time at the Emirates and Arsenal are deservedly ahead - but only just.
After a brilliant opening spell of pressure the Gunners broke the deadlock courtesy of their speciality, the set-piece goal, with Merino again the hero as he headed home an Odegaard delivery from the corner.
But Chelsea grew into the first half and it’s likely Arteta will be happier than his counterpart Maresca to hear the half-time whistles. Both managers might need a word with their goalkeepers, who have had a bit of a howler so far, with Raya lucky that Cucurella’s attempt rolled wide after he mishandled it.
CHANCE! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
45+2 mins: Robert Sanchez’s dismal afternoon is going from bad to worse. He’s lucky to get away with it again, as he palms a Martinelli cross straight into the path of Trossard, who - fortunately for the Chelsea keeper - makes a mess of his first touch and can’t get anything on it before Sanchez is back in position.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
45 mins: Fernandez fires a poor attempt into the stands behind Raya’s goal as a lengthy Chelsea attack comes to naught.
Fofana goes flying after both he and Merino aim to plant a header on the ball. It looks to be some sort of back or rib problem as he’s clutching his right side. No movement from the physios yet.
Three minutes added on at the Emirates.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea but Gunners under pressure
41 mins: Chelsea seem emboldened by that Cucurella chance and are enjoying a dangerous spell of possession now. Neto wins a corner off Gabriel, the hosts clear it, but the Blues are still on the attack.
RAYA FUMBLES: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
36 mins: Almost a disaster for Raya! Cucurella whacks in a left-footed shot on the edge of the box, the keeper completely fumbles it, and it rolls goalwards - but luckily for him, it drifts just wide of the far post.
Raya may have fallen asleep there, he’s had so little to do so far, but he’ll be wide awake to the danger now.
CHANCE! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
34 mins: Badiashile shoves Timber as the players form a wall for an Arsenal free-kick. Chelsea are playing with fire here.
All the action is in the visitors’ half at the moment. Odegaard puts in some fancy footwork outside the box and tees up Martinelli, but the Brazilian fires way over.
YELLOW CARD: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
29 mins: So far Chelsea have had one shot, a long-range effort from Fernandez that seemed more speculative than anything else.
Colwill gets the first booking of the game for a reckless challenge on Trossard.
VAR CHECK: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
23 mins: VAR are called into play as things go from bad to worse for Chelsea. Fofana stamps on Rice in a nasty attempt to win possession, and the England player isn’t happy about it. No red card for Fofana, but a free-kick for the hosts.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
19 mins: It’s Arsenal’s makeshift striker who scores first!
Martinelli wins a corner as Cucurella sends the ball behind, Odegaard crosses to the near post, and it’s a sublime header from Mikel Merino to soar above Sanchez’s outstretched hands.
It’s a fourth goal in seven appearances for a man who until a few weeks ago had always played in midfield.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea as Trossard goes wide
18 mins: Arsenal have had eight touches in the opposition box and four shots, compared to nil and nil for Chelsea, at the 15-minute mark.
The medics are on for Enzo Fernandez, who hits the deck after Rice’s left arm knocks him in the face in an aerial challenge. When play restarts Arsenal are quick to break and after another poor attempt at a clearance by Sanchez, Trossard drags a shot wide.
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