Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea Goalkeeper Employs Hilarious Time Wasting Tactics vs Crystal Palace

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea Goalkeeper Employs Hilarious Time Wasting Tactics vs Crystal Palace

Martin Moses
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM
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  • The Chelsea goalkeeper threw the ball back and forth as Chelsea hung on for three vital points against Crystal palace.
  • The Chelsea goalkeeper threw the ball back and forth as Chelsea hung on for three vital points.
  • It was Chelsea's first win in the Premier League since their win against Bournemouth last year.

Time-wasting is often regarded as a tactic of its own in football. It is always so integral to break the rhythm of your opponent if you are leading, or trying to preserve a valuable point.

From taking longer to take your throw-ins, fouls and goal kicks to your head coach making substitutions during stoppage time, it is a skill that has often come in handy. And Chelsea's goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made it his business to ensure his side get maximum points.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, time-wasting
Kepa Arrizabalaga in action for Chelsea against Crystal Palace on January 15th. Photo by Ben Stansall.
Source: Getty Images

Chelsea hosted Crystal Palace on January 15th looking to get back to winning ways. A depleted Chelsea squad had only won one game in six Premier League matches.

Graham Potter's charges managed to get a foothold against the Eagles early on with some beautiful display of football. However, they still required Kepa Arrizabalaga to keep them in the game with some brilliant saves.

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Kepa's rebirth

The Spanish goalkeeper has been somewhat the only positive thing of Potter's reign at Stamford Bridge with his renaissance despite recent questions about his decision-making.

Kai Havertz put Chelsea ahead with a well-taken header in the 64th minute. It turned out to be the only goal of the game as Chelsea hang on to hand temporary relief to Potter.

Towards the end of the game, Arrizabalaga decided to take some time off the clock by playing volleyball with the fans. With the rest of the players waiting for the goal kick, the 28-year-old threw the ball back and forth with the fans behind Chelsea's goal area.

Crystal Palace's striker Jean-Philippe Mateta grew agitated and came to fetch the ball himself. Arrizabalaga's tactics eventually worked as his side picked up three valuable points.

The evolution of Petr Cech

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech is best remembered for his time at Chelsea where he won major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League titles.

He is also known for wearing protective gear after his head injury in 2006. He played for Chelsea rivals Arsenal for five years and returned shortly after the Gunners lost the 2019 Europa League to the Blues.

He took up the role of technical and performance advisor, which he relinquished months ago under Todd Boehly.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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