Arsenal analyzed: 5 reasons why we beat Chelsea | Analysis | News

On Sunday afternoon he saw us succeed against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Merino appearing with the revealing moment of the game to get a 1-0 victory.

But what were the key reasons for victory? Adrian Clarke has deepened the statistics and images to dig up why we manage to secure the three points against the blues:

A super set piece

The only goal came from our first blow from the Premier League from a corner kick in 51 attempts. We had not scored from one since January 15, in our success of Derby from northern London at home in Tottenham, but Merino’s intelligent final decided that issues. Pleasantly, it was a new piece of set that served this decisive moment, and one that completely blambled the side of Enzo Maresca.

Feeling that Chelsea was happy to mark man to man instead of going zonal, we intelligently drag a large number of blue shirts in the near post domain. This ‘Cluster’ tactic helped block goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, and also acted as a great distraction for the 1v1 Merino had established James with Reece in another part of the box.

All that was needed was Merino to escape from James’s attention and know the almost postal cross of Martin Odeegaard before the pack in the near post. By timing his sprint perfectly, Merino arrived in front of Christopher Nkunku of flat legs, moving a heading in a distant emptiness corner. It was the only time we tried this stratagema, and could not have been executed more intelligently.

Since the beginning of last season, we have opened the scoring with a goal from a corner on 11 times in the Premier League. This is more than anywhere else. Our 27 goals of the corners in this period are also a high league, a ten impressive higher than any other top -level team.

Super Merino

In addition to obtaining the winner, Merino also showed remarkably high levels of the industry outside the ball. The Spanish never seems to stop running, and his willingness to close the Chelsea players shone brilliantly.

Athletic data and Merino’s pressing numbers were some distance from all the players involved in this accessory. Despite playing as our central striker, he even made more pressures within our own defensive third than any of his teammates.

Unfortunately not to score a second, courtesy of an excellent volley in the second half, Merino had a very shocking game.

Doing early damage

A quick beginning prepared us on our way to a third successive victory at home against Chelsea. After 30 minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side had averaged 64% possession, enjoying 10 touches within the Blues penalty area.

During this assertive spell, Chelsea did not have a single touch in the painting. For the half-hour brand, we also lead the 6-1 shooting count.

Tire map: 0-30 minutes

For the last hour, this party seemed very different from a tactical perspective. Maresca’s men monopolized 80% of the ball in 15 minutes before part time, and in the second half they had 63% possession.

In truth, however, they gave us very little coercion. Keeping in our form, rarely out of the position, Chelsea only achieved 0.36 xg, the most under this season, along with eight shots, which was a joint joint for them in 2024/25. Our back four defended in an excellent way, offering visitors who have no breath.

Exhaust markers

The Blues man marked us throughout the field during the early phase of this contest, to counteract that we deliberately drag blue shirts in unusual positions. James never left the side of Declan Rice, so our record firm chose to make a current of selfless races that moved their teammate in England in the center of the countryside, without space for others.

This kick from David Raya gives you an indication of the varied movement that we apply. Afraction of the right wing, Gabriel Martinelli shows a pass to the left of the center of the field, pulling the center of Chelsea, Levi Colwill (out of shot) with him in the process:

When Raya lasts a long time, he sees a 2v2 with rice and Leandro Trosard against midfielder James and the right side Wesley Fofana. In the right wing, Merino has dragged the other central defender Benoit Badiashile:

This was an intelligent way to eliminate both defenders of their usual positions before a long return pass in front. Seconds after this piece of game, and with the four of Maresca, four completely displaced, goalkeeper Sánchez passed the ball directly to Martinelli, who had a shot on the door.

There were similar examples scattered right in the encounter. The rice was often the main lure, which made 33 races out of the ball, that his marker James had no choice but to follow. His career power gave his teammates extra space and staggered the defense of Chelsea.

Gabby is back

This was Martinelli’s first beginning since the beginning of February, and the Brazilian had a tremendous impact on the right of our attack. Looking acute, he appeared as a second striker inside Jurrien Timber many times from the beginning, while attacking the right as natural. In the first half, 53% of our attacks were built on that flank.

Attacking thirds – arsenal 1st half

Through an impressive 79 -minute outlet, Martinelli almost scored a couple of goals, his scorching rhythm caused numerous problems to Chelsea, and his crossing was also excellent. This precise delivery for Merino almost helped us score the second goal that deserved performance:

With Ethan Nwaneri in excellent form, and Bukayo Saka approaches a return of an injury, our right side options look much healthier. This screen has certainly put Martinelli in the frame to start against Fulham when we return from international rest.