Arteta issues BAFFLING Chelsea claim amid Maresca criticism

Cameron Smith

16 Mar 2025 14:45 CDT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed that Chelsea are the “best attacking team in the league” following his side’s 1-0 win over the Blues.

Mikel Merino netted the only goal of the game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Chelsea mustering just two shots on target and generating a mere 0.35 xG against Arteta’s men.

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Enzo Maresca has been widely criticised by Chelsea supporters following the match after yet another passive performance from the Blues saw them drop points for a seventh consecutive away fixture in the Premier League.

Excluding a 5-0 win over League Two outfit Morecambe in the FA Cup and a 4-0 victory against Premier League stragglers Southampton, Chelsea have now scored just 16 goals in 15 games since 22 December and Maresca is seen as the culprit by many.

However, Arteta believes that Maresca’s side are actually the most dangerous attacking team in the entirety of the Premier League.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

Following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta told reporters: “We haven't conceded almost anything apart from that strange save from David [Raya] I would say, and that's a big credit to the team because in my opinion they [Chelsea] are the best attacking team in the league.”

When asked to elaborate, Arteta added: “By a mile, I mean the stats say it and everything that I've seen says it.

“They can open you up, they can run in transition, they have individual quality, any player in the defensive line can throw you in behind, they can combine on both sides, on weak sides and they are missing some big players as well at the moment.”

Despite Arteta’s comments, Chelsea are expected to bolster their forward line by signing a new striker during the 2025 summer transfer window, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap among their targets.