Arsenal emerged victorious in the set-piece battle against a 10-man Chelsea squad, securing a crucial 2-1 win over their London rivals on Sunday. The match highlighted the growing significance of set-pieces in the Premier League, as Mikel Arteta’s team scored twice from corners, with Chelsea also finding the net from a similar situation.
William Saliba broke the deadlock for Arsenal in the first half with his first goal since December 2024 at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea equalized just before halftime through Piero Hincapie’s own goal from a corner taken by Reece James. However, Jurrien Timber secured three valuable points for Arsenal with a second-half header, while Chelsea’s Pedro Neto received a second yellow card and was sent off.
This win marked Arsenal’s second consecutive league victory, extending their lead to five points over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Despite facing criticism for their recent form, Arsenal bounced back with a win following their previous dominant performance against Tottenham.
With nine games remaining in their quest for their first English title since 2004, Arsenal now face Brighton next. Their upcoming matches include crucial encounters against Manchester City and other top-six teams. On the other hand, Chelsea’s third winless game in a row hampers their Champions League qualification hopes, dropping them to sixth place under Liam Rosenior’s leadership.
Arsenal capitalized on Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities to score from set-pieces, with Timber’s goal exemplifying their proficiency in such situations. The Gunners’ fans celebrated their team’s success, emphasizing the importance of set-pieces in their season. Chelsea’s frustration was evident as Neto’s red card further compounded their woes, with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya making a crucial save in stoppage time to secure the victory.