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Mikel Merino scored the only goal as Arsenal defeated Chelsea, narrowing the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points.
Both teams were without their first-choice strikers—Kai Havertz sidelined for the season with a hamstring injury for Arsenal, while Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson also missed out.
In a match reported by the BBC Sports, the Blues were further weakened by the absence of Cole Palmer, missing his first game since their 5-0 loss to Arsenal last April.
Read more: Merino’s late brace sends Arsenal past Leicester, closing in on Liverpool
Arsenal, deploying Merino as a makeshift striker, dominated early, with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice all going close.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Merino flicked on Martin Ødegaard’s curling corner past a stretching Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea’s best chance came when Marc Cucurella’s powerful shot slipped through David Raya’s hands, but the ball rolled just past the post. Sánchez, recently restored as Chelsea’s first-choice keeper, had some nervy moments under Arsenal’s pressure and was jeered by the home crowd when in possession.
However, he redeemed himself with an excellent second-half save to deny Merino.
Despite Chelsea’s late push, Arsenal held firm for the win.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were not in league action this weekend due to their involvement in the Carabao Cup final.
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