Arteta lauds ´unbelievable spirit´ as Arsenal battle past Chelsea

Mikel Arteta lauded Arsenal’s “unbelievable spirit” in their win over Chelsea but says his side should have managed “much more” than a 1-0 victory.

Mikel Merino’s first-half header proved decisive at the Emirates Stadium, the Spain international scoring with a looping header from Martin Odegaard’s right-sided corner.

That marked Arsenal’s 27th Premier League goal from a corner since the start of last season, the most of any side, as the Gunners’ set-piece dominance once again came to the fore on Sunday.

Merino then saw a second-half volley expertly repelled by Robert Sanchez, who was also on hand to deny Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli in a one-sided contest.

Arteta heaped praise on Arsenal after ending a three-game winless run in the competition, though admitted his side’s margin of victory could have been much more handsome.

“We should have done much 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 unbelievable spirit, and now we go to the international break. The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position.”

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

Mikel Merino was the hero for Arsenal as 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 stats page: https://t.co/zQqigI15gW pic.twitter.com/AqIZzEY9ki

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 16, 2025

Arsenal’s win saw them move four points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest, who were 4-2 winners over Ipswich Town on Saturday, while Arteta’s side trail runaway leaders Liverpool by 12.

The hosts were indebted to the stooping header of Merino, whose five Premier League goals this season have all come since the start of 2025 when moving to cover as a makeshift striker in Kai Havertz’s absence.

His five-goal return equals his best scoring tally in a single campaign within Europe’s big five leagues (also netting five in 2019-20 and 2023-24 for Real Sociedad), much to the delight of his manager.

“We have had top players out for many months,” Arteta added. “Our team has an incredible resilience. Mikel really wants to do well. He has never played that position before, but he is scoring goals.

“He is a really dangerous player in the box and he can help us. Even physically, it is a very different game to play as a nine.”

Merino will be expected to continue as cover for the injured Havertz, while Martinelli impressed on the opposite flank to Leandro Trossard as Arsenal remain without star winger Bukayo Saka.

Arteta hinted Saka could soon return, with the international break offering his side a chance to regroup before their home clash with top-six challengers Fulham on April 1.

“He has a good chance, yes,” Arteta responded when asked about Saka returning after the pause for international duty.