Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has weighed in on comparisons between his side and Arsenal after both London clubs emerged as the Premier League’s most lethal teams from set-pieces this season.
Maresca’s Chelsea have netted 9 goals from dead-ball situations so far in the 2025/26 campaign, the second-highest tally in the league. Arsenal lead the way with 11 set-piece goals, accounting for a remarkable 69% of their total goals this season.
The impressive figures have sparked plenty of discussion among fans and pundits, especially as both teams have turned set-pieces into a defining weapon in their attacking play.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup clash with Wolves on October 29, Maresca acknowledged the comparison but reminded everyone that both scoring and conceding from set-pieces are natural parts of the game.
“Yeah, but we also concede, Arsenal also concede from set-pieces. Set-pieces for me are part of the game,” Maresca said. “You are going to score goals from set-pieces and you are going to concede goals from set-pieces. It’s good news that after Arsenal we are the team with the most goals.”
Maresca’s remarks underline a pragmatic approach, while he’s pleased with Chelsea’s attacking threat from free-kicks and corners, he’s equally aware that balance is key. The Italian tactician also urged his side to maintain their efficiency in open play, ensuring they’re not overly reliant on set-piece opportunities.
“It’s good news that after Arsenal we are the team with the most goals,” he added, hinting that while Arsenal’s dominance is admirable, Chelsea’s growth in that department is a sign of progress.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s remarkable success from dead-ball situations is no coincidence. Under Mikel Arteta, set-pieces have become a hallmark of their tactical evolution. Arteta’s commitment to mastering this aspect of the game stretches back a decade, and his attention to detail continues to pay dividends.
Reflecting on that journey, the Arsenal boss recently said:
“Ten years ago I said it’s a massive thing to do that (master set-pieces). I started to have a vision and tried to implement a method and tried to be surrounded by the best people to deliver that.”
That methodical approach has turned Arsenal into the Premier League’s benchmark for set-piece efficiency, a standard Maresca clearly respects and hopes to emulate.
As both clubs prepare for their Carabao Cup fixtures, Arsenal against Exeter City and Chelsea against Wolves, all eyes will be on whether their set-piece mastery continues to shape their seasons. For now, it’s clear that both London giants have transformed one of football’s oldest weapons into a modern-day art form.
