Merino goal ends Gunners’ ‘corner drought’ as Blues’ away misery goes on

Makeshift forward Mikel Merino scored his fourth goal in all competitions since operating in his new position to give Arsenal a 20th-minute lead at home to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Aerial specialist Merino flicked Martin Odegaard’s corner beyond goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to cap a dominant start by his side, who repeatedly pressed for the opener and went close through shots by Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard and a Jurrien Timber header.

“The corner drought is over,” ex-Arsenal forward Alan Smith said of his former side, speaking on Sky Sports. “It’s been a while.

“You can see how pleased [Merino’s] team-mates were. That’s just what [their] players needed. They did all the pushing.”

Mikel Merino has done it again! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NJlaATsgL6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2025

Arsenal v Chelsea: Blues cornered

Arsenal have scored 15 goals from corners in the top flight this season but they had not added to that tally since Dominic Solanke’s own goal for Tottenham in the derby at the Emirates Stadium on January 15.

Despite their reputation for scoring from set pieces, the title hopefuls had taken 51 corners without finding the net before Merino made the breakthrough against the Blues.

Merino is a midfielder but was used as a centre-forward for the first time as a substitute in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester City on February 15, rewarding Arteta’s improvisational decision with both goals.

The Spain international produced a goal and assist in the 7-1 win at PSV in the Champions League on March 4, but his goal against Chelsea was his first in the league since his double against the Foxes.

How has Sanchez kept this out? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IsnbhLRIq4

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 16, 2025

Palmer out for Chelsea

With 10 games of their league season remaining, Arsenal began the game knowing that their prospects of overtaking leaders Liverpool were vanishingly slim after dropping points for a third successive match with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United a week earlier.

Chelsea had the chance to move three points behind Arsenal but had not won the fixture in their previous seven attempts, last doing so with a 2-0 away victory in August 2021.

Manager Enzo Maresca had to make do without top scorer Cole Palmer, with the Italian revealing before kick-off that the England international had sustained a minor injury.

Wideman Marc Cucurella, who scored the only goal of the game in Chelsea’s home win over Leicester City last Sunday, went closest as the visitors struggled to show an improvement on a run of away form that has seen them winless on the road in the league since beating Tottenham on December 8.