Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Mikel Merino ends Gunners’ set-piece drought

Mikel Merino‘s header was the difference as Arsenal strengthened their grip on second place in the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates.

A first half dominated by goalkeeping gaffes at both ends went the way of Mikel Arteta‘s troops, who assumed control of the game from the off and ended their Premier League set-piece drought through Merino’s near-post header.

However, the Gunners could not capitalise further on the increasingly suspect goalkeeping of Robert Sanchez, and Chelsea finally managed to string some passes together towards the end of the opening 45, where David Raya counted his lucky stars after Marc Cucurella‘s volley squirmed underneath his body and trickled just wide.

Enzo Maresca‘s side – who lost Cole Palmer to injury the day before – were repeatedly found wanting in the final third during a sleep-inducing second half, albeit one that suited Arsenal down to the ground as they ended a three-game losing run in the top flight.

As well as going nine points clear of Chelsea, who remain in fourth spot in the rankings, Arsenal are four points better off than Nottingham Forest in second spot and have cut the gap to Liverpool to 12 points on the same number of games, not that Gooners will be expecting an extraordinary title comeback now.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

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We told you it would be 1-0.

So many enthralling clashes have been played out between these two London rivals down the years, but Sunday’s derby will not live long in the memory of either set of supporters.

It was suggested that one “moment of brilliance” would be needed to settle the Emirates encounter given both sides’ attacking absences, and while Merino’s header was not exactly ‘brilliant’, it was no surprise to see the game decided by a set-piece.

Arsenal finally scoring from a corner again at least ended their run of seven Premier League games without a goal from a dead-ball situation, but in a tale as old as Kai Havertz‘s hamstring injury, there was a total lack of ingenuity otherwise.

However, the Gunners were fortunate that they came up against a Palmer-less Chelsea side whose toothless attacking display shared similarities with Arsenal’s; pass the ball around the box, make no inroads, play the ball back, rinse and repeat.

A four-game winning run in all competitions has now come to an end for the Blues, who cut tetchy figures throughout – as did Arsenal at times – and discontent towards Maresca’s seemingly directionless playing style will only grow from here.

ARSENAL VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS

Mikel Merino goal vs. Chelsea (20th min, Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea)

It is 2024 all over again – Arsenal finally score from a corner!

Martin Odegaard‘s near-post delivery is seemingly a bit too underhit for anything to come from it, but Merino manages to get a flick on, which loops over everybody – including a hopeless Sanchez – and nestles into the far side of the net!

Whatever happened to sticking a player on both posts at corners? Had Chelsea done that they would not be behind right now, but they cannot say it was not coming.

MAN OF THE MATCH – DECLAN RICE

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Picking out a standout performer from Sunday’s bore-fest is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but one-time Blues man Rice ran the midfield show yet again after saving Arsenal’s bacon at Old Trafford.

The England international won all three of his ground duels, putting in two tackles and drawing one foul, while also creating two chances and putting in four clearances to ensure victory in North London.

ARSENAL VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS

Possession: Arsenal 41%-59% Chelsea
Shots: Arsenal 12-8 Chelsea
Shots on target: Arsenal 4-2 Chelsea
Corners: Arsenal 5-4 Chelsea
Fouls: Arsenal 9-13 Chelsea

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Following the international break, Arsenal have another London derby on the menu, welcoming Fulham to the Emirates on April 1 before a lunchtime trip to Everton four days later.

Also continuing their theme of capital clashes, Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 3, three days before a visit to West London rivals Brentford.

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