All three goals in Arsenal's 2-1 win against Chelsea came from set pieces, with teams looking to exploit dead-ball situations more than ever in the Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's second goal past Robert Sanchez of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Set-piece goals are on the rise(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has called for a review into set pieces, as they currently give 'certain teams' an 'unfair advantage'. Rosenior's side conceded both goals from corners in their narrow 2-1 defeat away to league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
But Chelsea also scored their goal from a set piece, as Reece James' corner was put in by Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie. The match illustrated how important dead-ball situations have become in the Premier League.
Arsenal's second of the day, scored by Jurrien Timber, was a record-equalling 16th goal from a corner kick this season. It's since emerged that Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover has a bonus in his contract for every set-piece goal they score.
But the grappling on corners led some to describe Sunday's game as 'ugly'. Ahead of Chelsea's clash with Aston Villa, Rosenior weighed in on the debate, with the Blues having conceded the most chances from corners in Europe's top-five leagues this season.
"I think that is the beauty of football," Rosenior told a press conference. "You can do it in so many different ways. There's no right or wrong way to play football for me.
"I'm sure when we scored from a corner yesterday, it was flicked on, our fans didn't care what the goal looked like. I'm sure Arsenal's fans didn't care what their goals looked like. The game is about winning.
"What I would say is about corners, I do think there needs to be a review at the end of the season in terms of the way teams are affecting the goalkeepers, the way teams are holding on defensive set plays. Because I think that is something that gives an unfair advantage to certain teams."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Robert Sanchez, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea react towards Referee Darren England after Jurrien Timber of Arsenal (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on March 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Chelsea weren't happy with Arsenal's second goal(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta defended his team's tactics post-match. "It's not ugly, you have to play the game that is there for you to play, and against Chelsea, you know exactly the game you're going to play," Arteta said.
"For me, it's a beautiful game to play because there is so much quality and you have to adapt so much to what they do, and they have to do the same against us, so the margins are very, very small, and the duels at the end decide these kind of games."