Arsenal set-pieces: ‘The new Stoke City’? Best set-piece and corner stats and reaction
The consensus seems to be yes—but there are difficulties.
There are several aspects of Arsenal’s set pieces that make them extremely difficult for opponents to defend. The first is excellent delivery.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, analyzing Declan Rice’s pass for Jurien Timber’s opener, said: “Passing is key, movement, blocking the goalkeeper. The ball goes to the first player (near above the goalposts, it was perfect.”
Speaking to Football Daily, Izzy Christiansen pointed out that many of Arsenal’s corner kicks were taken over the top of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was surrounded by “blockers”.
Amorim seemed to agree during the day’s game, adding: “They put a lot of players close to the goalkeeper and it was almost impossible to fight for the ball.”
Speaking to Amazon after full time, Rice said: “We keep insisting on (set-pieces) and we never get bored. With repetition you end up scoring.”
“When you get a corner, it’s a chance to score a goal, not a chance to relax and unwind.”
Variety is also key. Arsenal kept United guessing, with their first goal coming from a pass at the front post and their second from a corner kick at the back post.
“Sometimes they go forward to the front post and then go to the back post, sometimes they put Gabriel in the middle. The key for Arsenal is to be able to mix it up,” Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards said.
Keown believes United are not making it difficult enough for Arsenal to score from corners.
“(United) are in a divisional system with no one receiving the ball and it’s too easy for Arsenal. They are just passengers and it’s so naive,” he said.
The opponent used a man-to-man system, but it wasn’t much fun either. Some fans took to social media to complain about Arsenal’s use of blocks and subtle pushes with impunity.
“As a coach, when we prepare these strategies, you know what the opponent is going to do,” former Everton manager Martinez said on Amazon.
“The unique thing about Arsenal’s job is that they always find little tricks that, if passed correctly, make the opponent undefendable.”
