Gary Neville Amazed by Xabi Alonso's Strategy to Counter Arsenal's Corner Threat in Chelsea Showdown

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso might have found the blueprint for cancelling out Arsenal’s corner threat.

’s set-piece prowess was a feature of their march to the title last term.

But with new Laws, , something the Gunners will have to deal with, new chief Alonso

At both of Arsenal’s first two corners, Chelsea put FOUR blue shirts up the pitch.

Joao Pedro and stayed on the half-way line, with and Pedro Neto just 15 yards deeper inside their own half but close to the centre circle.

The danger of being outnumbered on the counter if Chelsea cleared the ball forced Arteta to call two of his set-piece attackers back to ensure the numbers were equal.

was stunned on commentary as the trick produced a bizarre scene, in which the box was only sparsely populated by players of either team.

The legend said: “Well there’s mayhem here, because there’s four Chelsea players being left up the pitch.

“ are reorganising quite quickly but its like 5v5 in the box, its mad. Wow that’s incredible.”

It seemed an evolution by the former boss of an idea had to neutralise one of Arsenal’s biggest strengths.

Fixtures Results Table

Sunday 6 September

Saturday 12 September

Bournemouth

15:00

EPL

Brentford

Villa

15:00

EPL

Forest

Chelsea

15:00

EPL

Hull

Palace

15:00

EPL

Ipswich

Liverpool

15:00

EPL

Fulham

Sunday 6 September

Saturday 5 September

English Premier League Pld Pts GD W D L Form

1

3

9

5

3

0

0

2

3

7

4

2

1

0

3

3

7

3

2

1

0

4

3

7

2

2

1

0

5

3

5

3

1

2

0

6

3

5

2

1

2

0

7

3

5

2

1

2

0

8

3

5

2

1

2

0

He as Arsenal set up for a corner during their clash in February, with Neville again watching on in awe.

And it is likely other top flight managers, certainly those who back their team’s defensive ability, will look to repeat the tactic over the coming weeks and months.