Match Report: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | Messages | Official side

The Spaniard, Arsenal's provisional striker, steered in a loop header from a corner to complete a dominant start of the hosts.

However, Chelsea grew into the game and we almost balanced in 37 minutes when Marc Cucurella's volley was buried by David Raya, whereby the ball was only far from the post.

It would prove to come closest to us. Despite a lot of persistence in a reserved second half, we could not force Raya into a meaningful action. Robert Sanchez produced the best rescue to prevent Merino from doubling the advantage of the Gunners, and she stood to record the late Chelsea printing at the points.

Team messages

Cole Palmer missed a minor injury in training yesterday. It was the first league game that he hadn't started since the same game last season.

As Enzo Maresca promised after the victory against Copenhagen a week, Sanchez began between the posts. There were five more changes to our XI. Reece James was selected in midfield, whereby Enzo Fernandez passed over a more advanced role. Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Cucurella returned for defense. Benoit Badishile was the man who kept his place.

Christopher Nkunku was the other fresh face that Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto joined in a liquid attack. Neto was most often the leading man.

Arsenal starts strongly

Leandro Trossard von took a long time in the penalty area within three minutes, and Sanchez had to save from Martinelli on the second attempt when he had lost property.

We were happy to play during the break and use our speed, but it was the home team that showed most of the intention.

We had great wear in the 12th minute. Cucurella looked like he was under pressure by Justin Timber, who lowered a dangerous area. Fofana made it extremely clear at first, and the ball then bounced dangerously in the six-yard box, with Sanchez getting a hand and declan Rice finally exceeded a shot.

Shortly afterwards, an effort was not widespread by him. Trossard missed the goal with a jumping shot before Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute. Martin Odegaard's corner was hit by Merino on the near the post and he took his header into the back corner via Sanchez.

In the middle half of half, Enzo Fernandez showed a great wish to reach a cushible ball halfway first and dart striker before he passed David Raya, but also on the long post.

Almost flat

Martinelli brought a presentable when Arsenal was looking for a second. Instead, it was almost 1-1 on the clock with 37 minutes. Neto and Nkunku had blocked shots before the ball invited to Cucurella. His first -time Salve turned through Raya's understanding, but tormenting past the long post.

Chelsea ended half of the better and enjoyed a lot of ball in the last third. The challenge after the break would try to convert this territory into opportunities.

It was a Tetchical start to the second period, with Niggly fouls found a lot of rhythm in their attacking game. In an hour, Sanchez produced a great stop with one hand to keep a violent volley away from the unexpected Merino. He then had a low odegaard. The Norwegian was booked almost immediately, which was five yellow cards in 13 minutes.

Maresca mixed his pack for playing with a little goalie at both ends and put Tyrique George and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for Jadon Sancho and Nkunku. Shortly afterwards there was a welcome return from Romeo Lavia to act.

George put on a cross to the back post that Cucurella jumped at the highest to meet it. His header lacked the necessary strength to excessively locate Raya, and Arsenal effectively excluded the competition afterwards.

What it means …

The blues are fourth in the Premier League table that goes to the last quarter of the campaign on the square, one point ahead of MAN City in Fifth and Two before Newcastle, which has a game in hand.

What's next …

The last international break of the season. It will be two and a half weeks until our next game at home in Tottenham on Thursday, April 3.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Fofana (Gusto 86), Colwill, Badiail (Tosin 86), Cucurella; James (C) (Lavia 82), Caicedo; Sancho (George 76), Enzo Fernandez, Nkunku (Dewsbury-Hall 76); Neto

Unused subs Bettinelli, Jorgensen, Chalobah, Acheampong

Booked Colwill 30, Neto 52, Fofana 59

arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Party, Reis, Odegaard (C) (Terney 90); Trossard, Merino, Martinelli (Nwaneri 79)

Unused subs Neto, white, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Calafiori, Butler-Oyedeji

scorer Merino 20

Booked Gabriel 55, Party 58, Odegaard 65

referee Chris Kavanagh

Quantity (sold tickets) 60.311