Arsenal: Ugly or a tactical masterclass? Gunners set-pieces prove decisive again

Arsenal will have to overcome the tension of the title race with just nine games remaining to win their first league title since 2004.

Arteta agreed when asked by BBC Sport whether they had to go to another level on set pieces because of the work done by other sides.

“Yes, but every team must be fair,” he said. “Look where they are in terms of the amount of goals they score.

“We haven’t scored from set pieces for a few weeks but we have scored a lot of goals from open play.

“Today it was an option to score from this type of situation. We did it very well and we accepted it.”

Chelsea were starting to get into the game before Timber’s crucial goal and needed some excellent saves from goalkeeper David Raya to deny the sixth-placed Blues a point.

Osman, Arteta’s former Everton team-mate, said: “I didn’t think there was much difference between the two teams but Arsenal came out on top and at this stage of the season that’s very important, isn’t it?” he added.

“If your strengths are calm wide guys who always create something, you always give them the ball.

“If your strength is set pieces you try to win set pieces and score goals from them and they are very good at that, very effective.

“And ultimately that was the difference between the teams, but Arsenal won’t care because there are three more points.”

According to Osman, Arsenal may be criticized for their style of play and are often compared to title-winning teams of the past, but if they win the title that is all that matters.

“Most viewers want to see beautiful football, or purists want to score great goals from back to front.” he said.

“Football is not always played like this. Football is about finding a way to be effective in both penalty areas.

“I think whatever happens in between can be gratifying, enjoyable, exciting.

“But ultimately it’s less important than what happens in both penalty areas because that’s where games are won and lost.”