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:
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea as hosts apply the pressure
13 mins: Total chaos in the Chelsea box! The ball appears to come off Cucurella’s arm at the back line under pressure by Timber, finds its way to Sanchez, who half-heartedly punches it away twice. It pinballs around the box and eventually falls to Rice, who skies it way over the bar.
No penalty, however for what looked to be a handball by Cucurella.
Rice then has a go from range but it drifts wide!
SAVE! Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
8 mins: Raya scuffs a clearance that lands dangerously near Cucurella - but the Chelsea man knocks over Timber and gives away a cheap free-kick.
After a spell of Chelsea possession Sanchez aims a poor clearance straight at Martinelli, who shoots - and the Blues keeper nearly fumbles the catch! A bad start to the game for Sanchez, who has only just made his way back into the side after a string of errors - five leading to goals and counting this season.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
3 mins: Huge cheer for newly-announced England international Myles Lewis-Skelly as he breaks down the left and wins a corner. Timber gets his head to Rice’s delivery but nods wide.
All Arsenal in the opening stages as Trossard takes a couple of touches in the box - and fires wide.
KICK-OFF: Arsenal vs Chelsea
Underway at the Emirates in this clash between second and fourth.
Arteta: "It's a massive one"
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports before the game:
"It's a massive one and we know after we have an international break - we know how important it is to win the game.
"We believe we have the players to win the game. We know the strength of Chelsea and we have the best players to start the match."
Arsenal and Chelsea warm up for early Premier League kick-off
Is the title still within reach for Arsenal?
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six games against Chelsea and memorably thrashed them 5-0 at the Emirates last season.
Their 15-point gap to runaway league leaders Liverpool may feel unassailable at this stage, but a win today would do their (very slim) title hopes no harm at all.
Incidentally, that 5-0 loss was the last time Chelsea started a Premier League game without Cole Palmer...
Enzo Maresca provides injury update on Cole Palmer
"He's not in the toilet, for sure! He had, as we know, last week some problems [with illness]. And unfortunately yesterday he had a very small problem.
"He had an injury yesterday during the session. It was a very light session. That's why we think it is nothing important. But we wait and the feeling is he will be back after the next international break."
Palmer is now a major doubt for Thomas Tuchel’s first two England games during the upcoming international break.
Chelsea can close gap to their rivals with victory at the Emirates
Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League and six points behind their hosts, but would move to just three points behind with victory at the Emirates today.
But it’s a tall order - at least according to the stats.
The Blues have won just three of their previous 19 away matches in the league against sides above them in the table at the time, and haven’t won in their past six league games on the road full stop.
Chelsea players inspect Emirates pitch before kick-off
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