The recent Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge showcased a fascinating tactical battle that extended beyond open play and into the realm of set pieces. While the match ended in a 1-1 draw, both teams exhibited contrasting approaches to set-piece situations, highlighting the importance of this often-overlooked aspect of the game. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, displayed a resolute defensive approach, forming a veritable “force field” to repel Arsenal’s aerial threat, while Mikel Arteta’s Gunners sought to leverage their height and physicality to gain an advantage from dead-ball situations.
Chelsea’s Force Field: A Multi-Layered Defensive Structure
Recognizing Arsenal’s potency from set pieces, particularly their threat in the air, Chelsea implemented a robust defensive strategy designed to minimize the danger posed by the Gunners’ aerial prowess. This involved a multi-layered approach, combining disciplined positioning, aggressive clearances, and a focus on denying Arsenal space and time to execute their set-piece routines.
Denying Entry:
Chelsea’s first line of defence focused on preventing Arsenal from delivering dangerous balls into the box. This involved close marking of Arsenal’s key set-piece takers, such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, limiting their space and time to deliver accurate crosses or passes. Additionally, Chelsea employed a high defensive line, pushing up the pitch to compress the space available for Arsenal to attack. This tactic aimed to force Arsenal into hurried deliveries or long-range efforts, reducing the accuracy and effectiveness of their set-piece attempts.
Aerial Dominance:
Within the penalty area, Chelsea organized a compact defensive structure, emphasizing aerial dominance and aggressive clearances. Chelsea positioned their tallest players, including Nicolas Jackson and their centre-backs, strategically to contest aerial duels and head away any incoming crosses. They displayed a willingness to put their bodies on the line, making crucial blocks and interceptions to prevent Arsenal from gaining a foothold inside the box.
Zonal Marking and Blocking Runners:
Chelsea primarily employed a zonal marking system, with each player assigned a specific area to defend rather than marking individual opponents. This allowed them to maintain a structured defensive shape and effectively cover the danger zones within the penalty area. They paid particular attention to blocking runs from Arsenal’s late-arriving midfielders, such as Thomas Partey and Declan Rice, who often pose a significant threat with their aerial ability.
One notable aspect of Chelsea’s set-piece defence was their use of “blockers.” As explained by Dean Scoggins, a tactical analyst for The Sun Sport: “[Chelsea] put Jackson at the front post, good header of the ball, big guy, and then instead of the centre backs marking, the two centre backs were in front of Sanchez on the edge of the six-yard box, and then all the other Midfield players, the Wingers… they’re the blockers.” This strategy effectively created a barrier, making it difficult for Arsenal’s attackers to gain momentum and attack the ball freely.
Arsenal’s Aerial Threat: Height, Physicality, and Set-Piece Prowess
Arsenal, renowned for their height and physical presence, arrived at Stamford Bridge with a well-earned reputation for set-piece proficiency. Under Arteta, they have developed a variety of set-piece routines designed to exploit their aerial advantage and create scoring opportunities.
Delivery and Variation:
Arsenal’s set-piece threat stems, in part, from the quality of their delivery. Players like Saka and Ødegaard possess the technical ability to deliver precise crosses and passes, putting the ball into dangerous areas with consistent accuracy. Arsenal also employs a variety of set-piece routines, mixing up their approach to keep opponents guessing and create confusion within the defensive ranks. This unpredictability makes it difficult for opponents to anticipate their movements and effectively counter their set-piece threat.
Targeting the Back Post:
One notable aspect of Arsenal’s set-piece strategy is their tendency to target the back post. They often overload this area with tall players, creating a numerical advantage and increasing their chances of winning aerial duels. They aim to deliver crosses with height and pace, making it challenging for defenders to react in time and clear the danger.
Late Runs and Third-Man Combinations:
Arsenal’s set-piece routines often involve late runs from midfielders and intricate third-man combinations. Players like Partey and Rice time their runs perfectly, arriving late into the box to exploit any defensive lapses and create chaos. They also utilize third-man runs, where a player makes a decoy run to draw defenders away, creating space for a teammate to attack the ball.
The Clash of Styles: A Tactical Tug-of-War
The match between Chelsea and Arsenal witnessed a fascinating tactical battle between two contrasting approaches to set pieces. Chelsea’s resolute defence focused on denying entry and winning aerial duels, frustrated Arsenal’s attempts to utilize their aerial advantage. However, Arsenal’s height and set-piece prowess still posed a constant threat, requiring Chelsea to remain vigilant and disciplined throughout the match.
One key factor in Chelsea’s success was the performance of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. While Sanchez conceded a goal from a near-post strike, he commanded his area effectively, coming off his line to claim crosses and punches away dangerous deliveries.
Despite Chelsea’s robust defensive efforts, Arsenal still managed to carve out several dangerous opportunities from set pieces. Their goal, scored by Gabriel Martinelli, originated from a well-worked set-piece routine. While Chelsea’s zonal marking system generally held firm, Arsenal’s movement and delivery created just enough space for Martinelli to find the back of the net.
Conclusion: Set Pieces – A Decisive Factor
The match between Chelsea and Arsenal underscored the importance of set pieces as a crucial battleground in modern football. While open play often dominates the narrative, set-piece situations can often prove decisive in determining the outcome of a match.
Chelsea’s well-organized defensive structure, combined with their aerial dominance and aggressive clearances, effectively neutralized Arsenal’s aerial threat. However, Arsenal’s height, physicality, and set-piece prowess still posed a constant threat, requiring Chelsea to remain focused and disciplined throughout the match.
As teams continue to refine their set-piece strategies, both offensively and defensively, this aspect of the game will likely play an increasingly important role in shaping the outcome of matches. Coaches are increasingly recognizing the value of set pieces as a potential source of goals and a key area for tactical innovation. The battle for set-piece dominance is likely to become even more intense in the future, adding another layer of complexity and intrigue to the beautiful game.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
