Everton 1-1 Arsenal

I just want to congratulate VAR and the match officials, who are allegedly fair people, for deciding the fate of the title with their decision-making, which has swerved from the vex-crime (yep, I made that word up, so does that make it a neologism?) to the ridiculous.

Quite honestly, Arsenal did just enough to win this game, but the Fates were against them. How was the Lewis-Skelly 'foul', when it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, given in the penalty box. I wasn't even sure it was a foul, but it was so clear and obvious that VAR didn't even show replays of the incident. I suspect there were other reasons why they didn't want their decision-making in the public eye, but we'll never know now.

Anyway, the penalty was despatched and Arsenal's last chance of putting any pressure on Liverpool at the top was effectively over, if it wasn't before.

Pickford was in imperious form in the Everton goal, and he was tested by a Martinelli pile driver, but not much else.

Arsenal had most of the possession, but the substitutes, apart from Tierney to some extent, offered no more than the players they replaced, so it was no surprise that the Gunners' title challenge faltered, after yet another VAR setback.

The referee's performance was questionable to say the least. He signalled for full time before the extra minutes had been played and then had to backtrack. As well as that, he allowed some agricultural challenges on Raya, as he was kicking the ball out. I thought that had been ruled out in modern football, but not at Goodison Park with this referee!

Of course, the penalty decision was an absolute travesty of justice. Jorginho thought so too and complained for so long and hard that he ended up with a yellow card. 

Despite the result, Arsenal can hold their heads up high, as it was a valiant performance.

Everton 0-1 Arsenal (half time)

The team selection for this game illustrated that Arteta's priority is the Champions League showdown against Real Madrid. 

Surprise starters included Sterling and Kiwior, the latter less so after Gabriel's season-ending injury. Also drafted in was Ben White, with Timber, who got a knock in the last game, moving to the bench.

I was disappointed to hear that Merino would start in midfield, as I thought his goal against Fulham would guarantee him a start upfront.

As usual, Arteta demonstrated his ability to pick the right team, as Sterling raced clear to unselfishly supply the pass for Trossard to place a shot into the far corner, putting Arsenal  ahead.

Trossard had a chance to double the lead but was thwarted in the attempt by Pickford, who successfully narrowed the angle and may have inadvertently injured the Belgian in the process.

The last thing Arsenal need right now is another body in sick bay, but they do need three points and at half time, fans could say: 'So far, so good.'

However, Everton and particularly Beto, looked dangerous on the break, so it's going to take all of Arsenal's resilience to keep their goal intact and keep up their long-distance breathing down the league leaders' necks.

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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