Arsenal upset London rivals Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday, their first win in four Premier League games, thanks to a headed goal by stand-in striker Mikel Merino, who raised their modest chances of chasing runaway leaders Liverpool.
Merino scored in the 20th minute, stooping to touch a looping header over Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal following a Martin Odegaard corner.
The Spanish midfielder, who has led Arsenal’s attack in recent weeks in the absence of injured teammates, came close to scoring again in the 60th minute, but his side-footed volley was saved by Sanchez.
Chelsea was also lacking firepower up front, with top scorer Palmer out due to injury, and centre forward Nicolas Jackson also out.
Without them, Chelsea struggled to attack Arsenal’s defensive line. The closest they got to an equalizer was in the 37th minute, when defender Marc Cucurella smashed an angled volley at David Raya, but the ball slipped between the Arsenal goalkeeper’s fingertips and went just wide.
The victory put Arsenal 12 points behind Liverpool, who will meet Newcastle United in the League Cup final later on Sunday.
Both the top two clubs have played 29 games, with nine rounds of matches remaining.
Chelsea are in fourth position, one point ahead of Manchester City and five behind Nottingham Forest.
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