Playing without Cole Palmer for the first time in the Premier League all season, Chelsea were held at arm’s length by an Arsenal side who, with their own attacking struggles, declared early on the 1-0 lead forged by Mikel Merino’s set-piece header and never looked like setting it slip.

Arsenal can close the huge gap to Liverpool at the top of the table but Chelsea come to the Emirates in form and chasing their own Champions League ambitions

Another goal from stand-in forward Mikel Merino again sealed three points for Arsenal against Chelsea at the Emirates. In a feisty London derby, with strong challenges and yellows on both sides, it was Mikel Arteta’s side who came out on top to move four points clear of third-place Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table.