Arteta Downplays Chelsea's Rugby Tackle Pad Training Ahead of Arsenal Derby Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed reports of Chelsea using rugby tackle pads during training this week, describing the method as a common practice used by numerous football clubs, ahead of Sunday's Premier League London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea players were seen using rugby tackle pads, also known as crash pads or tackle shields, during a training session at their Cobham training ground this week, in preparation for their clash against the reigning league champions. Photos and reports from the session showed players including Joao Pedro, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, and Josh Acheampong holding the large pads while teammates charged into them during the drills.

The training drills appeared designed to simulate the aggressive physical contact and aerial challenges Arsenal frequently create from corners and other set-piece situations, where players often make forceful runs toward the goalkeeper or into the penalty box. Notably, experienced rugby coach and former New Zealand All Blacks star Willie Isa was reportedly involved in overseeing aspects of the training exercise, lending a specialist edge to Chelsea's physical preparation.

The emphasis on set-piece readiness reflects Arsenal's standing as the Premier League's most effective dead-ball side last season, having scored 22 goals from set-piece situations. Given that record, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso's decision to prepare his squad specifically for Arsenal's aerial and physical threat, including what has been described as the "goliath"-style runs and contact associated with the Gunners' set-piece routines, comes as little surprise to observers of the London rivalry.

Addressing the matter at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta was unfazed by Chelsea's specific approach, insisting the method was far from unusual within professional football. "That's something that a lot of clubs use; we use those pads as well. Everybody uses those pads in circuits. I think that's something very, very common," he said.

Beyond the training method itself, Sunday's fixture carries considerable weight given Arteta's strong historical record against Chelsea since taking charge at Arsenal. Across all competitions, Arteta's side have built a commanding record against the Blues, with 11 wins, four draws, and two losses across roughly their last 17 meetings, backed by a healthy overall goal difference in Arsenal's favour.

The Gunners head into the match unbeaten in their last nine Premier League meetings against Chelsea, with six wins and three draws, marking their best such run against the west London club since the 1995 to 2005 period. Chelsea, for their part, have not recorded a Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium since August 2021, and have lost their last four away Premier League fixtures against Arsenal by an aggregate scoreline of 11-2.

With that historical dominance behind them and Chelsea now visibly preparing for the specific physical and aerial demands Arsenal are known to pose, Sunday's London derby is shaping up as a fresh test of whether Alonso's tactical and physical preparations under Willie Isa's guidance can finally help Chelsea break their lengthy winless run against Arteta's side at the Emirates.