Football

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea, Premier League: Mikel Merino Helps Gunners Close Gap On Liverpool

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday (March 16) to close the gap on Liverpool to 12 points. Arsenal’s title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but Merino’s first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium. Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard’s near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Arsenal since February 15. Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means they missed the chance to extend their one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost their chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Mikel Merino
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Arsenal's Mikel Merino, center, greets supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Mikel Arteta
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta applauds supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Jurrien Timber
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber, right, challenges for the ball with Chelsea's Moises Caicedo during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Enzo Maresca
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Marc Cucurella
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Chelsea's Marc Cucurella in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Thomas Partey
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Arsenal's Thomas Partey, left, challenges for the ball with Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Levi Colwill
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: Nick Potts/PA via AP

Chelsea's Levi Colwill, bottom, fouls Arsenal's Leandro Trossard during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Mikel Merino
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Arsenal's Mikel Merino celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Robert Sanchez
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, centre bottom, fails to save the goal from Arsenal's Mikel Merino, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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English Premier League Soccer match Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Robert Sanchez
EPL 2024-25: Arsenal Vs Chelsea | Photo: AP/Ian Walton

Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez makes a save during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates stadium in London.

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