Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Chelsea, showcasing resilience and maintaining hopes of challenging for the title despite a 12-point gap with leaders Liverpool. The match saw Mikel Merino score his first goal in the league this season, capitalizing on Chelsea's lackluster performance without key player Cole Palmer, who is currently sidelined due to injury. Chelsea's continued struggles in front of goal are concerning, with this being their seventh consecutive away match without a victory. Manager Enzo Maresca faces mounting pressure as the team fights for a top-five spot in a competitive league.
Mikel Arteta had promised that Arsenal would not give up on their title dream easily and, although they remain 12 points behind the champions-elect Liverpool after one of the most comfortable 1-0 victories you will see, there remains hope in north London.
Having established himself as first-choice goalkeeper again following some high-profile errors earlier in the campaign, Robert Sanchez endured another afternoon he will want to forget as Chelsea never looked like recovering from going behind.
Before the game, Maresca jokingly dismissed rumours that Palmer was missing through illness and confirmed that he had sustained an injury in a light training session on Saturday that looks likely to rule him out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania.
Maresca opted for Enzo Fernandez to fill the No 10 role and again started Reece James in central midfield despite Thomas Tuchel insisting last week that his best position is at full-back.
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