Article #4633

Mikel Arteta had promised that 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 win you will see, there remains hope in this part of north London.

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 their talisman Cole Palmer and secure a first win in four league games.