3 key takeaways as Arsenal claim 1-0 win against Chelsea

“One nil, to the Arsenal” was how it ended on Sunday as a Mikel Merino header proved just enough to see off Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners made a bright start here and should have won by more in truth, with Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli all going close in the early stages. Finally, on 20 minutes, Merino rose highest at a corner to break the Blues’ resistance.

Chelsea did grow into the game but did not pose much threat – a Marc Cucurella strike (spilled by David Raya) representing their best chance – and their own forward issues meant Arsenal were able to hang on for the win.

It will not live long in the memory, but here are three key takeaways from a slender victory on home soil.

3 big takeaways as Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Premier League

Takeaway #1: Three points in the bag

Even if the title is gone, three points were much needed and help to stem fears of being dragged into a top four/five race.

February 15th had been the date of our last Premier League win (0-2 vs Leicester City) and it seems all momentum has since drained from this campaign. However, a bid for Champions League redemption is still on offer and only victories can bring the sort of confidence required to keep that dream alive – that is what Arsenal achieved here.  

They laboured to get it, no doubt, but the win gives us something to build on after the international break and keeps Nottingham Forest at bay in third place (an outcome which is of scant consolation, I know).

The rot has stopped.

Takeaway #2: Should fans be concerned?

“Three points in the bag” and “Set-Piece FC” will dominate the post-match discourse and it owes to one particular reason: the game itself was so utterly dull.

Arsenal made a fast, energetic start but faded after the Merino breakthrough, with Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli all especially poor even as the game opened up late on (granted the latter is just back from injury).

Their toils might have been punished by better opposition and it only epitomised the flatlining nature of this campaign even if the win was ultimately claimed – will two weeks off help to lift the Gunners’ spirits?

On this evidence, neither Real Madrid nor Fulham will be quaking in their boots (though Saka is due to return after the international break).  

Takeaway #3: Defence is still strong

For all their offensive misgivings, Arsenal were brilliant at the back and never gave Chelsea a chance to equalise.

There is a special mention for Jurrien Timber here as he exuded calm, always competed in the air and had the better of Christopher Nkunku all match. His alleged “try harder” comment to Blues’ manager Enzo Maresca only strengthened his case for MotM.

To a man, the entire backline stood tall and earned a deserved clean sheet (11th one this season) to maintain our status as best defensive team in the league, conceding just 24 goals across 29 Premier League matches.

Makes you think what a strong attack could help us achieve…

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