ARTETA PROUD OF ‘SET-PIECE FC’ AS ARSENAL EDGE CHELSEA 2-1
Read Time:1 Minute, 42 Second
Agency Report
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has embraced the club’s new nickname, ‘Set-Piece FC’, after his side relied on deadly corner routines to secure a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Headers from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber helped the Gunners move five points clear at the top of the table. Arsenal have now scored 16 goals from corners this season, equalling the Premier League record held jointly by Oldham and West Bromwich Albion, prompting jubilant fans to chant “set-piece again, ole, ole”.
Chelsea did score from a corner when Piero Hincapie inadvertently headed Reece James’ delivery into his own net, cancelling out Saliba’s opener. Despite the own goal, Arsenal’s dominance from dead-ball situations was clear, with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover once again demonstrating his tactical mastery.
Arteta defended the club’s reliance on set-pieces, highlighting their importance against top opposition.
“We knew the importance of the individual duels at set plays because Chelsea are a top side attacking and defending them… To have these options is great,” he said.
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton criticized Arsenal’s approach, calling them “the ugliest Premier League winning team in history” if their title charge relied heavily on set-plays.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior lamented his team’s failure to contain Arsenal’s corners, despite preparing a new defensive scheme for the match. He also noted disciplinary issues, with Pedro Neto sent off in the second half.
“To concede two goals from set plays… is very disappointing. Arsenal are probably the best team in the world at them,” Rosenior said, adding that rules on pre-delivery holding might need reviewing.
With Manchester City still in contention and a showdown looming in April, Arteta remains confident:
“We are really happy… In March, we are in every competition, we are right up there.”
Arsenal’s set-piece proficiency has emerged as a key weapon in their quadruple hunt, giving them a strategic edge in tightly contested Premier League encounters.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0