'It is incredible': Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal star after win vs Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Mikel Merino following his match-winning goal against Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Gunners returned to winning ways in the top-flight with a 1-0 triumph over the Blues. Merino bagged the winner with a header from a corner.

The Spaniard also unleashed another powerful strike in the second half, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was on guard to deny him his brace.

Speaking after the win, Arteta hailed the midfielder and said that he has been incredible as an emergency striker for the Gunners this year.

He said: "And we know that, that was the emergency situation that we are in at the moment but the way he's approaching it is incredible, he wants to understand everything, he wants to learn from it."

Arsenal have moved within 12 points of leaders Liverpool with the win over the Blues. They have another nine games left in the campaign and need a minor miracle to recover the large deficit.