Arsenal have widen the gap between themselves and Chelsea as they frustrated the Blues during a Premier League snoozefest on Sunday afternoon
15:23, 16 Mar 2025Updated 15:29, 16 Mar 2025
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta's side took all three points on Sunday(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The wheels of Arsenal's title challenge might have already fallen off - but the Gunners proved their steel against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta's side frustrated Chelsea in a dull clash in the springtime sun - as they closed the gap to Liverpool at the top of Premier League standings. It's even more sweet for Arsenal too, with Chelsea closing down on their second spot.
Article continues below
AndDaily Star Sporthas a look at what Arteta got right as the Gunners look to finish their Premier League campaign strong.
Corners, corners and yet more corners
Mikel Merino of Arsenal scores his team's first goal whilst under pressure from Reece James and Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
Arsenal scored their only goal of the game from a corner(Image: Getty Images)
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
It's not even a secret weapon at this point, it's so well known, and yet the Gunners still seem to be able to find the back of the net from them.
This time it was midfielder-turned-false nine extraordinaire Mikel Merino to get the final touch. Arsenal have been so good from set-pieces this season - and it's a large reason why they find themselves where they find themselves in the league.
Opta posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Since the start of last season, Arsenal have scored more goals from corners than any other Premier League side (27). 11 of those have opened the scoring, which is also a league-high total in this period. Headstart."
Pressing Chelsea out of the game
Declan Rice of Arsenal controls the ball whilst under pressure from Reece James of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
Arsenal pressed Chelsea off the pitch(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea's players were suffocated off the pitch during the early springtime sun on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal pressed, pressed and then pressed some more as the Blues struggled to string together passed. In contrast, the Gunners knocked the ball around with ease picking apart the Chelsea midfield at will.
"That first half was abysmal! We couldn’t cope at all with Arsenal’s high press! Not expecting much in the second half," one fan fumed. While a second said: "When Arsenal decide to press, they’ll hound the opponent and put them into a chokehold..."
Killing the game
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.
Arsenal killed the game in the final 20 minutes(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Heading into the final stages of the game, the Gunners did well to wind down the clock.
There is no team better in the league than Arsenal at killing the game from a winning position. The Gunners looked for any excuse to slow the game down, masterfully frustrating Chelsea and stopping any chance of Enzo Maresca's side being able to build up any sort of momentum.
"They should seriously might have to consider bringing it in a shot clock for set-pieces...Every single match these Arsenal guys are experimenting for 5 mins over a dead ball situation," one fan fumed.
Article continues below
Click for more of thelatest football news from the Daily Star.