Merino sinks lacklustre Chelsea and keeps Arteta's slim hopes alive

Mikel Arteta had promised Arsenal would not give up on their title dream easily and, although they remain 12 points behind the champions-elect Liverpool after one of the most comfortable 1-0 wins you will see, there remains hope in this part of north London.

- Ed Aarons

Mikel Merino's first-half goal from a corner - Arsenal's 11th of the season but first since mid-January - proved enough to see off a toothless Chelsea side who looked badly short of inspiration without Cole Palmer and secure a first win in four league games. It was the seventh successive away league game that Enzo Maresca's side have failed to win and, with the chasing pack breathing down their neck in the race for the top five, these are worrying times for the Italian.

Chelsea have managed only three goals on the road since defeating Tottenham in December and never looked like recovering from falling behind here, while Robert Sanchez endured another afternoon he will want to forget as the goalkeeper was culpable for Merino's goal.

Arsenal were grateful for any assistance they could get having dropped points against West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United in their past three league games, with Arteta refusing to give up hope that it could still be their year having finished as runners-up to Manchester City for the past two seasons. "We have to win our football matches, that's what it has to be," he said. "Win against Fulham [before Liverpool face Everton in their next match] and we'll be closer."