**Arsenal 1**
Merino (20′)
**Chelsea 0**
**Mikel Merino’s first-half goal was enough to consign Chelsea to their fourth consecutive away league defeat.**
Merino’s flcked header at the near post from Martin Odegaard’s corner beat keeper Robert Sanchez and looped into the far corner of the net.
The error-prone Sanchez was unconvincing again – shortly before the goal he gave the ball straight at Gabriel Martinelli, who was unable to finish.
Chelsea, without Cole Palmer, who missed the game because of a minor injury, struggled to create clear-cut chances.
They almost equalised, though, when Arsenal’s former Brentford keeper David Raya spilled Marc Cucurella’s shot and was grateful to see the ball drop wide.
**Chelsea:** Sanchez, James (Lavia 82), Fofana (Gusto 86), Badiashile (Adarabioyo 86), Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku (Dewsbury-Hall 76), Sancho (George 76), Neto
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Acheampong.