Arsenal Narrows Gap on Liverpool with 1-0 Victory Over Chelsea

Mikel Merino’s first-half header propelled Arsenal to a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea in a Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, reigniting their faint title aspirations.

The win brought second-placed Arsenal, now on 58 points, within 12 points of league leaders Liverpool, who faced Newcastle in the League Cup final later that day. Meanwhile, Fulham secured a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in another London derby.

Merino struck in the 20th minute, deftly flicking Martin Odegaard’s near-post corner past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, clinching Arsenal’s first league win since February 15. Despite recent struggles, the result narrowed the gap on Liverpool and kept Arsenal 10 points ahead of defending champions Manchester City, who sit fifth.

Chelsea, in fourth, squandered a chance to widen their one-point lead over City, denting their Champions League qualification hopes.

Elsewhere, Tottenham’s woes deepened with a 2-0 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage, piling pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou. Rodrigo Muniz broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, followed by Ryan Sessegnon’s strike 10 minutes later. Spurs, languishing in 14th, have now lost 15 league matches this season, winning just once in their last five across all competitions. Fulham, climbing to eighth, sit four points behind Chelsea, keeping their European ambitions alive as the international break looms.

Arsenal’s gritty win signals resilience, while Tottenham’s slump highlights mounting challenges for Postecoglou.