Arsenal secured a vital 1-0 victory over Chelsea in their Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025. The decisive moment came in the 20th minute when midfielder Mikel Merino headed in a corner from captain Martin Ødegaard.
Chelsea, missing key attacker Cole Palmer due to injury, struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity arose in the 37th minute when Marc Cucurella’s volley narrowly missed the target following an error by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
This result keeps Arsenal in second place, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine matches remaining. Chelsea remains fourth, one point ahead of Manchester City.
However during the match , between Arsenal and Chelsea, an incident occurred involving Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca. Following the match, Timber reportedly told Maresca to “try harder” before shaking hands. According to sky sport PL. video below
https://x.com/skysportspl/status/1901300114683035812?s=46
This incident adds to a series of post-match handshake controversies involving Maresca. Previously, West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan refused to shake hands with Maresca after a match, citing disagreements over on-pitch conduct.
Such incidents highlight the intense emotions and competitive nature inherent in football, where post-match interactions can sometimes reflect the tensions experienced during the game.
why is Cole Palmer not in the squad ?
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has given an update on Cole Palmer’s absence from the squad for their Premier League clash against Arsenal. The 22-year-old forward, who has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season, missed the game due to an injury sustained in training.
Although the club has not disclosed specific details about the injury, Maresca addressed the situation in an interview with Sky Sports (via Sports Illustrated), saying:
“Last week, he had a slight issue, and unfortunately, during yesterday’s session, he picked up a minor problem. We believe it’s nothing serious, and he should be ready to return after the international break.”
He further explained:
“It happened during a very light training session, which is why we don’t expect it to be a major concern. However, we still need to assess the situation and hope he’ll be back after the break.”
Palmer’s absence is a significant blow for Chelsea, as he has been instrumental for the team this season. While he has gone seven league games without a goal, he has still managed to score 14 times in the Premier League while providing six assists.
Chelsea’s next game is another London derby, this time against Tottenham Hotspur on April 3, following the international break. Palmer was also named in England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, but his availability remains uncertain, with national team coach Thomas Tuchel expected to evaluate his fitness before making a final decision.
