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:
Mikel Merino downs Chelsea to snap Arsenal’s winless run
Arsenal brought their three-game winless run in the Premier League to an end with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates to strengthen their grip on second place.
Mikel Merino’s clever header in the 19th minute settled a London derby that will not live long in the memory, the stand-in number nine looping Martin Odegaard’s corner in at the far post as Mikel Arteta’s side rekindled memories from earlier in the season of their effectiveness and cunning at set-pieces.
Chelsea, playing for the first time in the league without the injured Cole Palmer, were by contrast completely bereft of ideas, the slow, timorous approach that has characterised recent nervy wins lacking the bite to trouble Arsenal who had little problem keeping the ball from them.
Mikel Merino downs Chelsea to snap Arsenal’s winless run
'We should have done much more' - Arteta
And the final word from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: "We should have done much more but we are very happy and it was an important game. We play a top opponent and the team played with an unbelievable spirit and now we go to the international break.
"The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position.
“We have had top players out for many many months. Our team has an incredible resilience. Mikel really wants to do well, he has never played that position before but he is scoring goals. He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Really pleased, even physically it is a very different game to play as a nine."
He also added that Bukayo Saka “has a good chance” of returning after the international break.
'My feeling is we are going in the right direction' - Maresca
And more reaction from Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to Sky Sports:
"I think we were in the game until the end. There was not a big difference in the two games between us. Given the injuries, we fought until the end. After the international break, we can have more players back like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke for the final sprint.
“They scored a set-piece, they are masters at that. It is a shame but my feeling is that we are going in the right direction.
"We controlled the game, we created some chances. In the second half we were there. Overall, I think we competed very well."
Asked about Robert Sanchez, who had a tricky day between the sticks, Maresca added: "We are quite happy with both of our keepers and today Robert was good."
Further update on Cole Palmer
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has cast doubts on Cole Palmer heading to the England camp, and said that he has a scan on Monday for a “muscular” injury.
"For sure [he is unlikely to join the England squad], because he is injured and he didn't play today,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
'Champions League football is our target' - Caicedo
Reaction from Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, who spoke to Sky Sports after the game:
"The team is good, the team is working hard to win the games. We want to show character, we want to play our best football and we want to win games like this.
"We want to play Champions League football next season. The teams are close but we are just focused on ourselves because that is the most important thing. Champions League football is our target."
Merino makes the difference for the Gunners
Arsenal beat Chelsea to close gap to Liverpool to 12 points
Mikel Merino made the difference at the Emirates today, with his first-half header capitalising on a brilliant spell of Arsenal pressure - and ending the hosts’ set-piece goal drought.
But it was a nervy display, particularly in a scrappy second half, and won’t do much to alleviate the ‘Arsenal need a striker’ chat.
However, there’s a smile on Arteta’s face and it’s another win in the bag as the Gunners stretch their advantage over Chelsea, in fourth, to nine points.
It’s also a seventh straight league game in which Chelsea have failed to beat Arsenal as an unwanted streak continues.
FULL-TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
94 mins: Timber dramatically falls to the ground as he wins a free-kick, and after what looks like a brief dispute with Maresca on the sideline over that behaviour, shakes the manager’s hand.
Sanchez boots the ball down towards the Arsenal goal and after a bit of pinball in the box Gabriel heads it safely to his keeper.
And that’s that!
Into four minutes of stoppage time
90 mins: In a move which sums up Chelsea’s attack today, Tosin aims a simple pass at Neto but it dribbles past him to be gathered by Raya.
Tierney comes on for Odegaard as we enter four minutes of added time.
CHANCE! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
87 mins: Cucurella has another go, getting his head to a looped George cross from the right-hand side of the box, and gets there before his man Timber - but Raya gathers easily.
Maresca makes his final two changes as Gusto and Tosin replace Fofana and Badiashile.
Cucurella gets himself in a decent spot again but can’t find a way past a wall of Gunners. The hosts are camping out in their half now as the final few minutes slip away.
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