Mikel Arteta has made plenty of bold statements since becoming Arsenal manager, but his latest remark about Chelsea being the best attacking team in the Premier League has left football pundit Paul Merson completely shocked.

Merson, a former Arsenal player turned analyst, called Arteta’s claim “flabbergasting” and dismissed the idea that Chelsea, despite their expensive squad, have been the most effective attacking side this season. Instead, he suggested that Arteta’s statement might be an attempt to deflect pressure from Arsenal’s own attacking performances.

With Chelsea struggling for consistency, Arteta’s comments have sparked a debate on whether the Blues deserve such high praise or if this is simply a mind game from the Arsenal boss. Let’s analyze the situation and why Merson finds Arteta’s view so baffling.

What Did Arteta Say?

During a recent press conference, Mikel Arteta made a surprising claim that Chelsea is the best attacking team in the league when it comes to creating chances. The Arsenal boss suggested that Chelsea’s offensive play under Mauricio Pochettino is among the most dangerous in the Premier League, despite their mixed results.

Arteta’s comment immediately caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. Given that Chelsea has struggled to break into the top four and has had a turbulent season, many questioned whether Arteta truly believed his words or was simply trying to stir controversy.

Paul Merson’s Reaction – "He Must Be Joking!"

Paul Merson did not hold back when responding to Arteta’s statement. He expressed complete disbelief, arguing that Chelsea’s inconsistency in attack and their inability to convert chances make them far from the best attacking side in the league.

Merson questioned how Arteta could overlook teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and even Arsenal themselves, who have shown far more efficiency in front of goal.

“This must be a joke. Chelsea has spent £1.6 billion on players, yet they still struggle to break down teams. If they were the best attacking team, they wouldn’t be sitting outside the top four,” Merson remarked.

He also pointed out that despite their big-money signings, Chelsea has lacked fluency in attack. Their forward line has been plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of chemistry, leading to underwhelming performances.

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Chelsea’s Attacking Numbers – Do They Back Arteta’s Claim?

To evaluate whether Arteta’s statement holds any truth, let’s look at some key attacking statistics:

Goals Scored

• Manchester City leads the league in goals, powered by Erling Haaland’s scoring ability and their well-drilled attacking patterns.

• Liverpool and Arsenal have also been among the top-scoring teams, showing attacking fluidity throughout the season.

• Chelsea, on the other hand, has been inconsistent, often failing to convert their chances into goals.

Shot Conversion Rate

• Chelsea’s shot conversion rate is lower than the likes of City, Liverpool, and even teams like Aston Villa and Tottenham.

• They create chances but lack the clinical edge to turn opportunities into goals consistently.

Expected Goals (xG) vs. Actual Goals

• While Chelsea has a high expected goals (xG) value, meaning they do create chances, their inability to convert those chances into actual goals has been a major issue.

• Teams like Manchester City and Liverpool not only create high-quality chances but also finish them efficiently.

From the numbers alone, it is hard to justify Arteta’s statement. Chelsea does have attacking potential, but their struggles in front of goal prevent them from being the best attacking team in the league.

Why Did Arteta Say This?

There are a few possible reasons why Arteta made this unexpected claim:

1. Mind Games and Psychological Tactics

Arteta may be attempting to play mind games ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures. By praising Chelsea, he could be trying to increase the pressure on them or divert attention away from his own team’s attacking performances.

2. Deflecting Attention from Arsenal’s Attack

While Arsenal has been strong this season, there have been moments where their attack has not been as fluid as expected. By shifting focus onto Chelsea, Arteta might be trying to avoid scrutiny on Arsenal’s offensive displays.

3. Respect for Mauricio Pochettino

Arteta may genuinely respect the way Chelsea plays under Mauricio Pochettino, even if the results have not always reflected their attacking efforts. He could be acknowledging Chelsea’s ability to create chances rather than their ability to finish them.

Chelsea’s £1.6 Billion Spending – Has It Paid Off?

One of the biggest talking points in Merson’s response was Chelsea’s spending under their current ownership. Since Todd Boehly took over, Chelsea has spent massive amounts on new signings, yet they have failed to challenge for the title.

Despite big-money acquisitions like Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea has lacked the sharpness and cohesion required to dominate in attack. This has led to criticism that the club is spending money without a clear plan for success.

Merson believes that Chelsea’s issues go beyond individual talent and that spending alone does not guarantee attacking dominance. He argued that clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool have built their success through smart squad management, not just expensive transfers.

Who Really Has the Best Attack in the Premier League?

If Chelsea is not the best attacking team, then who deserves that title? Based on performances and statistics, here are the real contenders:

1. Manchester City

• Consistently the highest-scoring team.

• Erling Haaland’s presence provides a goal-scoring machine.

• Midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden contribute heavily.

2. Liverpool

• High pressing and aggressive attacking play.

• Mohamed Salah remains one of the best finishers in the league.

• Several goal contributors across the squad.

3. Arsenal

• A balanced attack with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard.

• Good combination of possession-based play and quick counterattacks.

Based on overall effectiveness, these teams rank ahead of Chelsea when it comes to attacking dominance.

Conclusion – Was Arteta Serious or Just Stirring Debate?

Mikel Arteta’s statement about Chelsea being the best attacking team in the Premier League has left many, including Paul Merson, completely puzzled. The statistics and Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal do not support the claim, leading many to believe Arteta was either playing mind games or showing excessive respect for Pochettino’s team.

While Chelsea does have attacking potential, their lack of consistency and clinical finishing means they cannot be considered the best attacking team in the league. Teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal have all outperformed Chelsea in terms of goal-scoring efficiency.

Merson’s reaction reflects what many football fans believe—that Chelsea’s £1.6 billion spending spree has not translated into attacking dominance. Instead, the club still has a long way to go before it can claim to be the most effective offensive side in the league.

As the season progresses, Chelsea will need to prove Arteta right with performances on the pitch. Until then, his claim remains one of the most debated statements in football this season.