Mikel Arteta praised the “incredible spirit” of Arsenal in their victory over Chelsea, but says that his side should have been “much more” than a 1-0 win.
The first half of Mikel Merino turned out to be decisive in the Emirates Stadium, the Spain International scored with a loop head from the right-sided corner of Martin Odegaard.
That marked the 27th Premier League goal of Arsenal from a corner since the beginning of last season, most on each side, because the set piece of the Gunners came to the fore again on Sunday.
Merino then saw a second half volley skillfully divested by Robert Sanchez, who was also present to refuse Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli in a one -sided match.
Arteta praised on Arsenal after ending a three-game Windless Run in the competition, although admitted that the victory margin could have been much better, for his part.
“We should have done a lot more, but we are very happy, and it was an important game,” the Arsenal boss told Sky Sports.
“We played a top opponent and the team played with an incredible spirit, and now we are going to the international break. All we can do is try to win our matches. If we do that, we are in a better position.”
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Mikel Merino was the hero for Arsenal when he scored the only goal of the game to seal a 1-0 win over London Rivals Chelsea.
Look back at the match with the best facts and opta data with our post-game statistics page: pic.twitter.com/aqizey9ki
– Opta Analyst (@Optaanalyst) March 16, 2025
The victory of Arsenal saw them move four points of the third Nottingham Forest placed, who were 4-2 winners about Ipswich Town on Saturday, while Arteta's Side Trail Runaway Liverpool against 12.
The hosts were owed to the fascinating header of Merino, whose five Premier League goals all came this season since the beginning of 2025 when he went to cover as an improvised striker in the absence of Kai Havertz.
His return of five goals is the same as his best scoring count in a single campaign in Europe's Big Five Leagues (also five in 2019-2020 and 2023-24 for Real Sociedad), to his manager's delight.
“We have had top players for many months,” Arteta added. “Our team has an incredible resilience. Mikel wants to do really well. He has never played that position before, but he scores goals.
“He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Even physically it is a completely different game to play as nine.”
Merino is expected to continue as cover for the wounded Havertz, while Martinelli made an impression on the opposite flank of Leandro Trossard while Arsenal remains without star player Bukayo Saka.
Arteta hinted that Saka could return quickly, with the international break that offered his side a chance to regroup for their home collision with top-six challengers Fulham on 1 April.
“He has a good chance, yes,” Arteta replied when he was asked to Saka who returned after the break for international duty.
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