Arsenal Triumph Over Chelsea to Keep Premier League Title Hopes Alive

On Sunday, Arsenal overcame London rivals Chelsea 1-0 for their first win in four Premier League games on a headed goal by stand-in striker Mikel Merino, so raising their meagre chances of closing up with runaway leaders Liverpool.

Merino dived to touch his looping header over Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal following a Martin Odegaard corner in the 20th minute.

Leading Arsenal’s assault in the absence of injured comrades in recent weeks, the Spanish midfielder came near a second goal in the 60th minute but his side-footed stroke was blocked by Sanchez.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC “it was a big game and we wanted to win against a top team.”

“We performed sufficient to merit a game victory. Now we have the worldwide break; let’s try to relax and hopefully get some gamers back.

While centre attacker Nicolas Jackson remains unavailable owing to injury, Chelsea were also lacking firepower up front with top scorer Cole Palmer missing through injury.

Chelsea battled to threaten Arsenal’s backline without them. In the 37th minute, defender Marc Cucurella smashed an angled volley at David Raya only for the ball to slide between the Arsenal goalkeeper’s gloves and go just wide, closest they came to an equaliser.

With Liverpool facing Newcastle United in the League Cup final later on Sunday, the victory left second-placed Arsenal 12 points behind.

With still nine rounds of games to go, both the top two clubs have played 29 games.

Chelsea ranks fourth, one point ahead of Manchester City and five behind Nottingham Forest, third-placed team.

“We wish to play Champions League football following season,” Chelsea player Moises Caicedo informed Sky Sports. “Although the teams are near, our main concentration is on ourselves as that is most crucial. Our aim is champion league football.