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Burnley defender Joe Worrall said that the Clarets were able to bamboozle Chelsea by limiting how frequently they stopped them from attacking through the central channel.
When Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on matchday 28, both teams face must-win scenarios.
While Arsenal are fighting for the Premier League title, Liam Rosenior’s side will be eager to return to winning ways after their disappointing draw at home to Burnley.
Though some are already pessimistic about Arsenal’s chances against Chelsea, the Gunners have the blueprint to get the better of their rivals, all thanks to what Burnley did last week.
Fill the blanks: On Sunday, the score will be Arsenal _ Chelsea _.
Credit: Getty Images/Marc Atkins Joe Worrall says Burnley frustrated Chelsea by forcing them to play wide, Arsenal must take note
Fighting for their lives in the relegation zone, Burnley took a positive step forward by taking a point from Chelsea in stoppage time at Stamford Bridge.
Burnley did have a man advantage as Wesley Fofana was sent off; however, it was a tactical switch that Worrall noted as key to getting the better of Chelsea.
“I thought the way we set up today was excellent,” Worrall told Burnley’s official website post-match.
“[We] tried to avoid them cutting through the middle of us, sent them round the outside, they looked a bit bamboozled with things.”
Limiting Chelsea in central areas and forcing their attacking sequences out wide worked for the Clarets, adding another string to Mikel Arteta’s tactical bow when analysing how to outsmart Rosenior.
Arsenal can also cut off Chelsea’s counter-attacking plans
Arsenal will take Worrall’s tips on board, but the Gunners will know that they have the means to cope with Chelsea’s threat regardless.
Should Mikel Arteta start Ben White over Jurrien Timber for Arsenal vs Chelsea?
Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
If there’s one thing we know about the Blues, it’s that they have a lot of joy on counter-attacks, being the Premier League team with the third-highest number of counter-attack goals.
Where Chelsea have found joy before, they’d be lucky to find it at the Emirates.
Arsenal have conceded one counter-attacking goal all season, and that came back in September courtesy of Erling Haaland.
Rosenior will have his work cut out to think of ways to break down the Premier League’s best defence, but given Chelsea’s quality going forward, he’ll fancy his chances.
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