Chelsea legend John Terry has come to the defense of Premier League leaders Arsenal, dismissing suggestions that their potential title win should be devalued due to their proficiency from dead-ball situations. Speaking via a TikTok video, the former England captain described the narrative surrounding a supposed “asterisk” on the Gunners’ season as “ridiculous,” asserting that Mikel Arteta’s squad has consistently been the most impressive side in the division.
Terry’s intervention follows a week of heated debate sparked by his former Chelsea teammate, John Mikel Obi, who controversially alleged that Arsenal were effectively “cheating” their way to the trophy. Mikel Obi’s critique focused on the tactical maneuvers used during corners, which he labeled as “illegal” and a sign of a lack of creativity despite the club’s heavy investment. Terry, however, was quick to highlight the hypocrisy of such claims by referencing Chelsea’s own historic successes.
Addressing the criticism, Terry remarked:
“It’s ridiculous to say an asterisk should be on Arsenal if they win the Premier League. Chelsea won their first Champions League via a corner through Drogba. We cannot remove set pieces from the game and Arsenal have learnt how to use it properly and they are the best team currently. I scored a lot of set piece goals that helped us to win a lot in my playing days, let’s not underestimate the wonderful things Arsenal are doing.”
The “Captain, Leader, Legend” reminded critics that set-piece dominance has long been a hallmark of championship-winning teams, including the Chelsea era that dominated English football under José Mourinho. By pointing to Didier Drogba’s iconic equalizer in the 2012 Champions League final, Terry emphasized that set-piece efficiency is a legitimate and vital weapon in professional football.
As Arsenal continues to lead the table by seven points, the debate over their “dark arts” at corners remains a polarizing topic among pundits. While some see it as a breach of the game’s spirit, Terry’s endorsement suggests that the footballing establishment views Arsenal’s dead-ball mastery not as a shortcut, but as a sign of a meticulously coached and tactically superior unit.
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