Arsenal ended their three-game winless run in the Premier League with a tight 1-0 win over Chelsea, extending the Blues’ poor away form to seven league matches without a victory.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli had early chances, setting the tone for a first half where Chelsea struggled to make an impact. Arsenal found success down the right wing, with Jurriën Timber’s cutback causing problems for the visitors. It was no surprise when Arsenal took the lead from a corner on that side, as Martin Ødegaard’s delivery was headed over a nervous Robert Sánchez by makeshift striker Mikel Merino.
Chelsea’s stand-in forward, Pedro Neto, was often left isolated, though the visitors improved as the half progressed. Their best chance came when Marc Cucurella’s volley slipped through David Raya’s hands but rolled just past the post. Arsenal held firm until the break, recording their 10th half-time lead at the Emirates this season – the most in the league.
Missing the injured Cole Palmer, Chelsea started the second half quietly and couldn’t keep up their earlier momentum. Sánchez made a fine save to stop Merino from scoring a second, before a tame effort from Ødegaard led to a quiet spell with little action. Chelsea pushed for a late equaliser, but Arsenal’s defence stayed strong to see out the win.
Catching league leaders Liverpool seems unlikely for Mikel Arteta’s team at this stage, but this victory gives them a 10-point cushion in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification. Chelsea, just one point above Manchester City, remain in the last guaranteed Champions League spot, but a seventh game without a league win against Arsenal won’t boost their confidence for the final stretch of the season.
