Arsenal edge out Chelsea 1-0; title hopes still alive

Arsenal’s Mikel Merino (third from left) celebrates his goal against Chelsea with his teammates yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Arsenal's hopes of a title are just about alive after they beat a toothless Chelsea 1-0 in a Premier League clash at the Emirates on Sunday.

Mikel Merino scored the only goal of a disappointing contest as Arsenal pulled clear in second place and to within 12 points of runaway leaders Liverpool.

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Chelsea badly missed the presence of the absent Cole Palmer due to illness as they meekly surrendered, hampering their hopes of a top-four finish.

Merino, playing as a makeshift centre-forward, provided the match winner from a corner as he looped a header from Martin Odegaard's delivery into the back of the net in the 20th minute.

Chelsea barely threatened throughout the game as Robert Sanchez made a brilliant stop to prevent Merino doubling Arsenal's lead with the best effort of the second half. Eventually, the game petered out with little goalmouth action at the end.

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