One of Enzo Maresca’s main focuses as Arsenal approach will be the threat they pose from set-pieces.
Chelsea have looked somewhat shaky defending set-pieces this season, conceding 6.2xG, the second-highest in the league after Burnley.
The league leaders, on the other hand, are easily the most dangerous side from set-pieces. Mikel Arteta has modelled his side for that purpose.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash, John Terry went to the trouble of devising his own plan to nullify the threat, and he has a potential solution.
John Terry watching Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
John Terry tells Chelsea to go man-for-man
Terry is delighted to see Cole Palmer returning for Chelsea, but his focus is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s quite easily the best defender ever to wear the blue shirt, so his qualifications to give advice are legitimate.
Posting to TikTok, he tells Maresca exactly how to approach defending set-pieces.
He says: “They often have runners coming round the back, I would go man-to-man.
“Give players that responsibility, stop marking the zone, put me with an individual and deal with him however you have to deal with him, make sure everyone is doing the same, free up the space for the goalkeeper to collect crosses.”
Terry thinks Chelsea defenders will do better if they stick tight to their man. That can be made more difficult by some of the runups and misdirection used by Arsenal, but it’s doable if they remain focused on the task.
We’ll see if Maresca heeds the Chelsea legend’s advice.
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Chelsea need to force their home advantage
Strangely enough, ten of Chelsea’s 23 points have been won at their home ground. Only Spurs have a lower ratio in the Premier League.
Stamford Bridge was a fortress on Tuesday night against Barcelona, but that hasn’t fully clicked at the weekends.
Chelsea’s title clash with Arsenal is the most important game of the season so far. If Chelsea are to topple the league leaders, the home advantage will play a big part, as will laser focus from Maresca’s men.