In Arsenal's attacking crisis, Mikel Merino, usually in a defensive midfield position, has had to step up and take over at the top.
When the Premier League second-place team on Sunday received Chelsea in a hot London derby, it was Merino who became the match hero for Arsenal.
As so many times before this season, Arsenal's goal came from a set piece. Martin Ödegaard took a corner, Merino could nod in behind Robert Sánchez in goal.
It was the only goal in the match that ended 1–0.
Arsenal retains its second place ahead of Nottingham Forest, Chelsea is fourth.
In the parallel London derby between Fulham and Tottenham, it ended 2–0 for the former. Lucas Bergvall came in at halftime for Spurs, who are in 13th place in the Premier League. Fulham is eighth.
