Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta proven right as striker transfer decision emerges

Arsenal once again beat their London rivals Chelsea in the Premier League to cut the gap to Liverpool and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta appeared to get his major decision spot on

Arsenal are closing in on their place in the Champions League with another win against Chelsea.

The Gunners squeezed past their London rivals at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. It leaves them second in the table, with their title hopes still just about alive.

Mikel Arteta ’s side remain 12 points behind Liverpool. Despite that, they appear to have all-but sealed their place in the Champions League with a ten-point advantage over fifth-placed Manchester City.

Arsenal are now afforded a break, with international fixtures due to bring the Premier League to a pause. Take a look at the latest Arsenal news heading into the international break:

Arteta proven right with Chelsea win

Mikel Arteta got his major decision spot on with Arsenal edging past Chelsea. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino was deployed as a striker despite a tricky run of form.

But he was the matchwinner once more as he guided home a header from a first-half corner. The strike saw Arsenal end their barren run of goals from corners.

Arteta’s side had not scored from their previous 98 corners despite having put together a brilliant goalscoring record from set-pieces this season. The North London side are back in action after the international break as they take on a resurgent Everton side.

Who was Arsenal’s man-of-the-match vs Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Striker sale explained

While Merino deputised well as a striker against Chelsea, the Gunners might have had an in-form forward leading the line. Mika Biereth spent three years with Arsenal after arriving from Fulham.

But he went on to join Sturm Graz on a permanent deal last summer ahead of a switch to Monaco. And Biereth has since shone with ten goals in just 11 appearances for the French side.

And it has now been explained why he was sold – because he did not have the right profile for a player Arteta likes to lead the line. Talking about his time in North London, Biereth said: “Making it at Arsenal isn’t the be-all and end-all of someone’s career. There are many ways of having a successful career outside of Arsenal.”

Arteta gives exciting Saka update

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Bukayo Saka could return to action after the international break. The Arsenal winger has been sidelined since December with a hamstring injury.

Asked if he could return in a fortnight, Arteta said: “He has a good chance, yes.”

Saka had made 24 appearances for Arsenal before his injury, scoring nine goals and notching 13 assists.

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