LONDON
\nMikel Arteta said Arsenal are happy to embrace their \u2018Set-Piece FC\u2019 nickname after using their deadly corner routines to seal a vital 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday.
\nArteta\u2019s side moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to headers from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber at the Emirates Stadium.
\nThe Gunners have scored 16 goals from corners this season \u2014 equalling the Premier League record set by Oldham and West Bromwich Albion.
\nNo wonder Arsenal\u2019s jubilant fans celebrated by chanting \u201cset-piece again, ole, ole\u201d.
\nChelsea also scored from a corner when Piero Hincapie headed Reece James\u2019 delivery into his own net on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Saliba\u2019s opener.
\nThat was a rare blemish for Arsenal when it comes to dead ball action as set-piece coach Nicolas Jover underlined his growing reputation with another masterclass.
\nAs they chase a first English title since 2004, Arsenal\u2019s prowess at set-plays has emerged as their defining characteristic.
\nBut not everyone is enamoured with the set-piece barrage fuelling their title charge.
\nFormer Chelsea striker Chris Sutton was scathing about Arsenal\u2019s reliance on the tactic.
\n\u201cSet-piece Arsenal, again. I think they are going to win it,\u201d Sutton told BBC Radio Five Live.
\n\u201cIf they get over the line, will they be the ugliest Premier League winning team in history? The performance wasn\u2019t there.\u201d
\nYet Arteta has no qualms about emphasising the value of set-pieces.
\n\u201cWe knew the importance of the individual duels at set plays because Chelsea are a top side attacking and defending them,\u201d the Gunners boss said.
\n\u201cEvery team to be fair. There is so much quality at set pieces in the Premier League.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s very important. We have lost points to long throws and lately we haven\u2019t scored from many set-pieces. Today we did it. To have these options is great.\u201d
\n\u2018We are right up there\u2019
\nManchester City, who have a game in hand and host Arsenal in April, are still firmly in the title hunt.
\nBut Arteta\u2019s faith in set plays is understandable given Arsenal are in contention to win the quadruple after recovering from a damaging wobble by beating Tottenham and Chelsea in successive games.
\n\u201cWe are really happy because we know we had two difficult games in the last week or so. The attitude and willingness ot go for it and be dominant, I am happy with it,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIn March, we are in every competition, we are right up there.\u201d
\nChelsea have conceded nine goals from set-pieces in Liam Rosenior\u2019s first 13 matches and five of those have been against Arsenal.
\nThe Blues also had Pedro Neto sent off for two second half bookings, extending a poor disciplinary record that Rosenior said they must \u201ceradicate\u201d.
\nRosenior was frustrated with his players\u2019 failure to contain Arsenal at corners despite working on a new plan for the occasion.
\n\u201cTo concede two goals from set plays, that ultimately cost us the game, is very disappointing,\u201d Rosenior said.
\n\u201cWe conceded from a corner against Burnley last weekend as well. It\u2019s something that has come into our game and is costing us points. We worked on a certain new scheme and it didn\u2019t work today.
\n\u201cArsenal are probably the best team in the world at them. It\u2019s a combination. The marking, the zone players. The goalkeeper is involved. I won\u2019t single out. I will address it on the training ground.\u201d
\nChelsea appealed in vain for a foul before Timber\u2019s winner and Rosenior said football\u2019s lawmakers might need to change their rules to combat teams like Arsenal, who have perfected the art of holding the opposition before the ball is delivered.
\n\u201cThere is a rule that says there can\u2019t be a foul while the ball is not in play. There\u2019s lot of holding and grappling that goes on before the ball is delivered,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cSet plays are massively important in this league. It is something that is coming in and it needs to be looked at. But we have to deal with it better.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LONDON Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are happy to embrace their \u2018Set-Piece FC\u2019 nickname after using their deadly corner routines to seal a vital 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday. Arteta\u2019s side moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to headers from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber at the Emirates Stadium. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-534543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n