Merino keeps it Real for Gunners as Blues fold

MIKEL MERINO'S header put Arsenal back on course for a hat-trick of title near misses.

- By Mike Walters

But after just four wins in 13 league games, the sands are shifting beneath Enzo Maresca and watching Chelsea has become an intractable chore.

For the Gunners, all roads lead to Real Madrid after the international break, and Arsenal's synonymous scoreline keeps the engine ticking over ahead of their Champions League quarter-final.

For Maresca, too many roads are going up dead ends. He was given a mixed reception by travelling fans on the final whistle and the hanging judges are out in force on social media. Don't mention the chore?