Premier League news conferences taking place plus reaction as Arsenal move five points clear at the top
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says set-pieces are the 'new reality' of the Premier League and it is 'not as much a joy to watch'
His comments come after Arsenal scored two trademark corners to move five points clear at the top of the table - their 16th, equaling the most by any side in a Premier League season
Chelsea were beaten by Arsenal and those corners and their manager Liam Rosenior says 'there needs to be a review' on how set-pieces can be defended
Rosenior also says Pedro Neto has apologised to his team-mates after being sent off against Arsenal and he will adjust team selection based on discipline
Team news: Wirtz out for next two games | Brentford update | Hwang returns | Pablo | Sunderland | Rodon 'OK' after scans | Alcaraz & Coleman
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Set pieces are, and always have been, part of our beautiful game. Tactics have always part of the planning. Nothing has changed except the depth of evaluation and analysis.
Alister, Belper
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Football Daily
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison defends the widespread use and impact of set-pieces on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "Players still have to go and do the delivery. Reece James and Declan Rice are two of the best - always on the money.
"That's just the way it is at the minute. I like the perfect goal, beautiful football - but do you think Arsenal fans will care?
"What I say now, the balls in are good but no-one does man-to-man marking anymore, it's always zonal. I always think it's hard to do zonal [marking]. If I'm attacking it and my man is stood still, I'm going to have the advantage on him as he is at a standing start.
"I just think that's why set-pieces are so crucial at the moment and so detailed. They are so big in the game at the moment."
You can listen to Football Daily below or on BBC Sounds
Will Spurs get relegated? Does Arsenal's 'boring' tag matter? Everton to get Europe?
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Arsenal rode their luck at times & David Raya had an super game making some quality saves. At this stage of the season, winning is more important than style of play but I would like to see the Arsenal being more creative in possession.
John, Cheshunt
Do you agree that Premier League football is losing its 'beautiful' side due to a reliance on set-pieces? Let us know by clicking the yellow 'Get involved' button on this page.
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
Arsenal got away with loads yesterday. Declan Rice clear handball. His arms were only so high because he was fouling Chelsea player.
Jeff, Norwich
That was never a penalty for Pedro. What those photos fail to show is that Raya was also having to get past 2-3 Chelsea players blocking him as well. He did that and had every right to, and did manage to get the ball before Pedro!
Al, Manchester
Problem is the referee doesn’t get involved before the ball is in play, let them penalise fouls that occur before the corner is taken, if a player punches another player while waiting for a throw in he’d be sent off, a few bookings before the corner kick would sort it.
Frank, Scotland
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother incident that triggered discussions was a potential hand ball from Declan Rice.
Reece James fired in a corner for Chelsea, where Rice was marking Jorrel Hato on the edge of the box.
As they both jumped the ball bounced off what looked like Rice's elbow, sending the ball back towards the net.
It was deemed not a hand ball by VAR but Chelsea fans were not happy.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
The keeper has every right to try punching the ball I have no problem with that what I have a problem with the defender holding Pedro no attempt at trying to get the ball it’s ridiculous there were at least 5 occasions I saw this from both teams
Alec, Wales
Grappling and wrestling in the box at set pieces. Horrible to watch. I'm amazed that referees don't do something about it. Between this and VAR, the beautiful game is being killed, and fast.
Tad, Hertford
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to Sky Sports post-match, on the penalty shout: "I haven't seen it back. I genuinely haven't. There has been a lot of talk about holding and how you mark in the box. I have to give their keeper credit. It's just a bitterly disappointing day because we lacked discipline."
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Agree with Slot. Watch Bundesliga instead. Not quite as fast but just as skilful and behaviour is better. Still shouting ‘Howay the lads’ but watching Bundesliga on TV
John, Northumberland
Totally agree with Slot. I find football very boring to watch these days. Football needs to remember its in the "Entertainment" business!
Stephen, Birmingham
PS: Here's what Arne Slot said about Premier League clubs relying more on set-pieces this season.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Arsenal v Chelsea was steeped in drama on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty shout coming from Chelsea after Joao Pedro was brought down in the box just one of those debated moments.
Reece James sent another flying corner into the busy box, where Pedro was being marked by William Saliba.
As the ball flew in, Gunners goalkeeper David Raya leapt over the top of Pedro, punching the ball away but also coming into contact with Pedro's head.
Pedro landed on the floor in a heap, clutching his head with Saliba and Gabriel stood over him looking visibly annoyed, given Arsenal's lead was looking precarious.
It was judged no penalty... was it the right decision?
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
The constant wrestling and playing the man instead of the ball at set pieces is so frustrating. There were goals conceded yesterday from players not facing the ball and therefore not being able to anticipate play. Something needs to change either from coaches or officials.
Ian, Lincoln
Something needs to be done about the all out wrestling that now occurs in the box. Limit the number of players allowed, keep them out of the six yard box until the ball is kicked? It is just pathetic and boring to watch.
David, Leicestershire
Set pieces are currently in fashion, because coach's have seen that officials don't police the holding & grabbing correctly. So every corner turns into an arm wrestle. Sort that out and they will have to find other ways.
Paul, Cumbria
Indeed, there were plenty of contentious moments inside the penalty box during Arsenal's win against Chelsea, so let's take a look at a couple of them now.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Rosenior faces a huge problem with discipline amongst the Chelsea squad. However good a player is, they're no use when they're sat in the stands, under suspension. The manager needs to get the house in order, and ship out any players that are becoming a liability in terms of discipline.
Jonathan, Bridport
Please, please can a time limit be set for players to leave the pitch after a red card. With additions to match suspension when that time limit expires. Refs are not about to change their minds and it is never a good look.
Phil, South Croydon
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
From Chelsea's point of view, Pedro Neto let them down badly. What an idiot getting sent off like that.
Image source, Getty ImagesClick 'Get Involved' to have your say
Spurs fan here. I would take any win at the moment. Ugly or otherwise!!
Keith, Bromley
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea's momentum suffered after Pedro Neto's red card in the second half.
He was booked for dissent after Jurrien Timber's goal in the 66th minute, followed by a foul on Gabriel Martinelli minutes later, ultimately leading to his dismissal.
Neto took his time leaving the pitch, visibly angry with the decision. He will now miss the midweek trip to Aston Villa.
It also gives Liam Rosenior a team selection headache with Cole Palmer already a doubt alongside fellow attackers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa v Chelsea (Wed, 19:30 GMT)
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea head coach Liam Rosenior will be back in front of the media today (13:30 GMT) with another match coming quickly after their defeat at Arsenal.
The scheduled media conference takes place two days before a crucial trip to Aston Villa, with both clubs competing for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Rosenior prefers to hold his media duties two days before matches rather than the more common approach of doing them the day prior.
However, facing journalists less than 24 hours after a high‑profile defeat can be awkward, so it will be interesting to see how he reflects on the performance after reviewing the game in more detail.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea won't achieve anything if they don't solve disciplinary problems - Rosenior
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal: "If we don't eradicate the set-play issues that have started to creep into our game and our discipline issues, then for all of the good things we do in the game, we are not going to get what we want to achieve.
"I have respect for the previous manager Enzo [Maresca]. I don't speak about what happened before but it is starting to happen with me.
"It's something I felt we had addressed. We went 10 games without a red card, now [we have had] two in two games and that's a problem we need to solve."
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Meanwhile, Chelsea had themselves to blame for making their life more difficult at the Emirates last night.
Pedro Neto earned himself a second yellow card for a cynical foul on the counter-attacking Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli leaving Chelsea with 10 men in their bid to find a way back from 2-1 down.
It was Chelsea's seventh Premier League red card of the season, leaving them two short of the division's record with 10 games still to play.
It was also their ninth red card in all competitions. Before kick-off, head coach Liam Rosenior had suggested discipline was improving under his watch, but he has now seen players sent off in consecutive matches.
Neto's dismissal came just a week after Wesley Fofana's red card in the 1-1 draw against Burnley.
And this is far from a new issue.
Chelsea, bottom of the Premier League fair‑play table, finished second‑bottom last season under Enzo Maresca and bottom the year before under Mauricio Pochettino.
Click 'Get Involved' to have your say
Must say, as an Arsenal fan, I was very unconvinced yesterday. Can't shake the feeling that the wheels are about to come off any second... but maybe that's past trauma speaking. Still, 3 points is 3 points. That's our motto until May.
Callum, London
I think the title race will go down to the wire, both teams are collecting crucial points at this stage of the season the way it's going it might come down to that game at the Etihad.. Honestly can't call who the 3rd team will be to be relegated.
Oba, London
The Gunners' weakness is on-field creativity. They have no-one who can split a defence like Bruno Fernandez or Bernardo Silva. The whole season rests in the match at the Etihad later this season.
Leslie, Poole
Arsenal 2-1 Cheslea
BBC 5 Live Breakfast
Image source, Getty ImagesMikel Arteta's former assistant coach at Arsenal, Steve Round, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya: "Raya is having a great season. Not only the way he is stopping the ball going into the net but the way he is stood up, his transition, he is having a fantastic year.
"The two best goalkeepers in the league are in the two top teams in the league and there is no surprise about that."
