Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea

It was quite a comfortable win in the end, albeit a narrow one.

Merino was closest to adding to the score line with a sidefoot volley from a Martinelli cross that was well saved by Sanchez.

Generally, the game was characterised by some full-blooded challenges and, in the end, the team that wanted it most won.

Tierney and Nwanieri came on as substitutes to help Arsenal see out a game that they deserved to win on the balance of play and chances created.

Now all Arsenal can do is try to keep winning to maintain second spot, as the points gap between them and Liverpool is too large to bridge.

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (half time)

After the defeat at home to West Ham, Arsenal fans would be forgiven for being pessimistic going into this London 'derby'.

However, Arsenal took the initiative and pressurised Chelsea into numerous mistakes.

Indeed, Cucurella was lucky not to concede a penalty when the ball hit his upper arm.

As well as that, Forfana was fortunate too not to be carded for some x-rated challenges.

In the end, Chelsea's luck ran out when Merino deftly headed home a near-post Odegaard corner. It was Arsenal's first goal from a set piece for many months.

Aside from that, Arsenal's finishing was mostly profligate, so they weren't able to add to the lead.

By the end of the half, Cucurella had had a shot fumbled wide by Raya, who made a right mess of blocking the shot, but did just enough.

At the interval, Chelsea were the dominant team in terms of possession, so Arsenal need to step up their game again if they want to retain their lead.

Champs League delight

Arsenal romped into the Champions League quarter-finals in style, sealing a 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven following a 2-2 draw at the Emirates. With the damage done in last week's emphatic 7-1 first-leg triumph, this return fixture was more about seeing the job through—and Mikel Arteta's men did just that.

Zinchenko Strikes Early, But PSV Hit Back

Despite holding a commanding lead, the Gunners wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Just six minutes in, Raheem Sterling was hauled to the ground by Tyrell Malacia, yet managed to poke the ball into the path of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian took full advantage, driving forward before unleashing a powerful strike past Walter Benitez to open the scoring.

PSV, determined to restore some pride, responded well. After Johan Bakayoko fired a warning shot over the bar, Ivan Perisic levelled the match in the 18th minute, latching onto Guus Til's pass and curling an effort into the top corner—ending Arsenal's perfect defensive record at home in this season's Champions League.

David Raya was then called into action to deny Couhaib Driouech as the Dutch champions pushed for a second, but Arsenal soon regained control.

Rice Heads Arsenal Back in Front

The Gunners reasserted their authority in the 37th minute, with Sterling once again instrumental. The England winger burst down the right, breezed past Driouech and Malacia, and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the box. Waiting in the middle was Declan Rice, who powered a header beyond Benitez to restore Arsenal's advantage.

Sterling could have had a goal of his own before the break after being sent clear by Zinchenko, but Benitez stood firm to keep PSV in the game.

PSV Salvage a Draw, But Arsenal Cruise Through

With nothing to lose, PSV came out firing in the second half. Raya was on hand to tip an Isaac Babadi effort around the post before Joey Veerman wasted a promising opening by firing into the Clock End.

Arsenal remained in control but struggled to create clear chances. Riccardo Calafiori almost made an instant impact off the bench, combining with Myles Lewis-Skelly before forcing Benitez into another stop. However, a rare mistake from Jorginho in midfield gifted PSV their second equaliser of the night. Babadi pounced on the Italian's misplaced touch and slipped in Driouech, who coolly chipped over Raya to make it 2-2.

The Gunners nearly snatched a late winner when Sterling linked up with Martin Ødegaard, but his shot was brilliantly diverted away by Benitez. In a frustrating end to the night for the winger, he picked up a booking in stoppage time that will see him miss the first leg of the quarter-finals.

What's Next?

Attention now turns back to the Premier League, with Arsenal set to host Chelsea in a huge London derby at the Emirates on Sunday. Following the international break, the Gunners will return to action on April 1 with another capital clash against Fulham.

A second successive Champions League quarter-final awaits—but first, there's domestic business to take care of.

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Man U 1-1 Arsenal

A fair result in the end, as Arsenal lacked penetration.

Rice's goal was unstoppable from Timber's pass, but Onana wasn't really tested that much in United's goal, aside from a near post effort from substitute Martinelli.

It was all about the dead balls, in the end. Arsenal's were cleverly worked but poorly delivered by the setpiece takers so it's down to a lack of quality or tiredness.

Lots of fans are complaining about a lack of squad rotation but that's what happens if you keep your powder dry in transfer windows.

Heaven could have given Arsenal a chance from the penalty spot had his double handball that looked like something from volleyball been penalised, but VAR wasn't going to come to the rescue. It never does, especially for an away team at Old Trafford.

The league is lost now, but staying in second would be an achievement.

Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

For once, VAR got something right: Lewis-Skelly's sending off was justified and totally red. It won't be rescinded and, although the referee initially saw it as a yellow card offence, the youngster denied Kudus a clearcut goalscoring opportunity. Raya was well out of his goal, so had Kudus got the ball, it would have been 2-0.

The question is: was Lewis-Skelly's decision a good one. I'd say: 'no', although we must add it was his commendable determination to win that made him do it.

However, my view is it's better to lose a goal rather than a player, even though Arsenal did play marginally better with 10 men.

The painful truth is this is not a title-winning squad because it lacks depth. When fit, the first XI can match any team in the world, but injuries have taken their toll.

We must assume that the hierarchy must have accepted there will be no silverware. That must be why the club decided not to buy a striker. You can't rely on someone who hasn't really played there. Being a centre forward is a difficult position to learn. Merino gave it a go, but he had no chance against a disciplined West Ham defence.

Now, all efforts should be poured into the Champions League. There's no possibility of catching Liverpool at the top now.