Arsenal v Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Mikel Merino makes the difference
Arsenal closed the gap to Liverpool at the top of the table to 12 points after a scrappy, nervy affair at the Emirates
Arsenal reduced their deficit to Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points with a game in hand as they beat Chelsea 1-0 in a scrappy encounter at the Emirates.
Mikel Merino, again playing as a striker, made the difference with a glancing header to convert a Martin Odegaard cross for the game’s only goal.
His 20th-minute strike was to be one of few on target as both sides struggled in front of goal, with both keepers nearly caught out at times and Marc Cucurella - himself lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for handball early in the first half - Chelsea’s biggest threat.
As is often the case it was a feisty London derby so far between two Premier League rivals, but ultimately it was Arsenal in the driving seat, and they extended their unbeaten league run over the Blues - who were missing Cole Palmer due to injury - to seven games. second in the league and Chelsea just six points off them in fourth.
Relieve all the action from Arsenal v Chelsea below:
Arsenal v Chelsea – team news
Arteta is set to bring back several players who were benched in midweek against PSV. Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka remain out injured.
Reece James and Cole Palmer have shaken off illness and are expected to start the game, while Maresca confirmed in his press conference that Robert Sanchez would start in goal. Chelsea are still set to be without Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Mykhailo Mudryk.
How to watch on TV
The match will kick off at 1.30pm GMT at the Emirates Stadium today, Sunday 16 March.
Arsenal v Chelsea will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League TV channels. Subscribers can watch the match online via the Sky Sports and Sky Go website and apps.
Chelsea in confident mood after finding winning touch
Chelsea have their own ambitions as they hunt a place in next season’s Champions League, which will likely require finishing in the top five. Enzo Maresca’s side sat fourth coming into the weekend and are on a run of four successive wins after knocking out Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League in midweek.
Arsenal should be fresh after midweek
Arsenal can take the opportunity to close the chasm to Liverpool with a victory that would leave them 12 points behind the Premier League leaders, who play Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final later in the day.
Arsenal come into the game after seeing off PSV in the Champions League in midweek via a 2-2 draw and 9-3 aggregate victory, and they should be fresh after Mikel Arteta rested several of his stars.
Arsenal v Chelsea
Hello and welcome along to live coverage of Arsenal v Chelsea in the Premier League, as two rivals meet at the Emirates Stadium.
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