Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Premier League by beating a blunt Chelsea side 1-0. The Gunners hadn't won a league game for over a month, allowing Liverpool to build what looks to be an unassailable lead at the top of the table. But after a shock home defeat to West Ham and draws with Nottingham Forest and Manchester United on the road, Arsenal took three much-needed points at the expense of their London rivals in a drab encounter. Chelsea were without star man Cole Palmer, who's been through a dry spell of late and was left out due to tightness in his hamstring. Arsenal, meanwhile, were without Raheem Sterling, who was ineligible due to being on loan from the Blues. Here are five talking points from the Emirates. 1. Cucurella gets away with one Does anybody really know the handball rule anymore? Under pressure from Jurrien Timber a few minutes before Arsenal's opening goal, Chelsea's Marc Cucurella took a tumble and attempted to use his shoulder to nudge the ball back towards goal. He achieved neither. The ball clearly came off his bicep and Timber picked up the pieces, prompting a goalmouth scramble which Arsenal somehow didn't convert. A VAR check ensued but no check was recommended and referee Chris Kavanagh was able to restart the game from a goal kick. "Very lucky," ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill admitted on Sky Sports at half-time. Should Arsenal have been given a penalty? Have your say in the comments section. 2. Merino in good company Chelsea didn't get so lucky the next time that Arsenal came on the attack, as the Gunners won a corner kick (their favourite) which was whipped in by Martin Odegaard and met by their in-form striker. Wait, who? Yes, Mikel Merino. Now on three goals, only Mo Salah and Omar Marmoush have scored more times in the Premier League since the Arsenal midfielder started playing up front for Arsenal. Merino also grabbed a goal in last week's 7-1 rout against PSV Eindhoven. In the absence of both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, the Spain international is certainly making a good go of leading the line. 3. Sanchez's mixed bag of a return Chelsea have got plenty of problems but perhaps no more glaring than in goal. Robert Sanchez started the season as the Blues No.1 but found himself replaced by Filip Jorgensen last month. In a twist, however, Sanchez returned for two matches last week. Then came another change, as Jorgensen came in for Thursday's Conference League round-of-16 second leg against Copenhagen. It seems Enzo Maresca has reverted to his stance of Jorgensen being the cup goalkeeper and Sanchez in the Premier League. His decision hasn't convinced Chelsea fans, though, with Sanchez looking shaky on his return. The former Brighton shot-stopper handed Gabriel Martinelli a golden chance to open the scoring but the Arsenal forward couldn't punish him. Sanchez, who in fairness pulled off a decent reaction save amid the aforementioned goalmouth scramble, then flapped at a cross which was never in his reach just before half-time. His second half have was more positive, getting across well to deny Merino a second goal. Sanchez wasn't the only goalkeeper to have a shaky afternoon either, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya fortunate to see Cucurella's effort flash wide before the break. Raya had gone to catch the volley but it went right though him, deflecting off his hip and rolling narrowly wide of the post. 4. Chelsea suffer reality check There's no denying that Chelsea came into this game on a fine run of form. Who can turn their nose up at four wins in a row, especially one away from home in Europe. But the fact is, Chelsea played Danish side Copenhagen - who aren't even top of their domestic league - and two Premier League clubs in Southampton and Leicester who are almost certain to be relegated. There was a gulf in class at the Emirates, with Maresca's men barely troubling the home side. Raya had little to do, summed up by Cucurella being the man behind Chelsea's two shots on target all afteroon. Reece James' move into midfield didn't inspire creativity and Pedro Neto, while looking dangerous, was ultimately toothless. Nicolas Jackson - inconsistent as he is - remains sorely missed. 5. Arsenal maintain stronghold It's now seven games since Chelsea last beat Arsenal, stretching back to the hazy days of August 2021 when Thomas Tuchel was in charge and Romelu Lukaku had just signed for £97.5million. What Chelsea would give for a striker in that kind of form now. For Arsenal, it wasn't a vintage display but they were disciplined and did the job professionally. Now Mikel Arteta can enjoy two free weekends before returning to the dugout at home to Fulham on April 1. Win that game and the gap to Liverpool would be nine points, albeit the Gunners will've played a game more. They can at least hope of some late title jeopardy. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.