By, Springbewsng Media Limited March 16,2025

Arsenal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadiumhttp://Arsenal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to Mikel Merino’s first-half header. The win not only ended the Gunners’ seven-game set-piece drought but also strengthened their hold on second place in the Premier League table.

First-Half Drama

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first 45 minutes, taking advantage of Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s errors. Merino’s near-post header from a corner gave Arsenal the lead and ultimately proved to be the decisive moment of the match. Despite Chelsea’s late first-half pressure, including Marc Cucurella’s close attempt that trickled wide after slipping under Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya, the Blues failed to find the back of the net.

Lackluster Second Half

The second half lacked creativity from both sides. With Chelsea missing their star player, Cole Palmer, due to injury, Enzo Maresca’s men struggled to break Arsenal’s defense. The Gunners, content with their lead, comfortably controlled the tempo and saw out the game.

Key Stats

• Possession: Arsenal 58% – Chelsea 42%
• Shots on Target: Arsenal 5 – Chelsea 2
• Corners: Arsenal 7 – Chelsea 4

Man of the Match

Mikel Merino’s commanding performance in midfield and his match-winning header earned him the Man of the Match award.

Impact on the Table

With this victory, Arsenal moved nine points clear of Chelsea and narrowed the gap to leaders Liverpool to 12 points. Chelsea, on the other hand, saw their four-game winning streak in all competitions come to an end, further increasing pressure on manager Enzo Maresca.

Conclusion

While the match lacked the excitement of previous London derbies, Arsenal’s victory was crucial in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. For Chelsea, the defeat raises more questions about their attacking struggles and tactical direction.