Arsenal have had great success from set-pieces this season, but the methods they use to gain advantage should be cracked down, said Everton manager David Moyes.
Arsenal have had great success from corners this season (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes has accused Arsenal of the “dark arts” and called on authorities to crack down on the amount of wrestling that takes place at set-pieces. The Gunners are the undisputed kings of set-pieces, but Moyes believes they should not be allowed to do what they do.
Arsenal have scored 17 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. Quality play from the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke is combined with Gabriel Magalhães’ attacking threat and smart movement and blocking schemes.
Following the success of corner routines, teams are looking to emulate the scheme devised by Mikel Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jobar. Everton travel to St James’ Park on Saturday to face Newcastle, who have the second-highest number of goals from set pieces in the Premier League, and Moyes was asked about the issue in his pre-match press conference.
“For example, you are allowed a lot of blocks now. In my day, if you blocked someone, it was a free kick. But blocks are a big part of blocking,” the Everton manager said.
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“To be fair, Arsenal are probably the best in that respect. Good delivery, good style, but ultimately there’s a lot of dark art involved, like blocking the goalkeeper from behind or in front, blocking defenders and making it difficult for them to get the key header of the ball.
“It’s a big thing in football, but I think that part of the game is diminished because of the level of officiating. And managers, if we see someone else doing it and not getting punished, we all follow suit.”
His comments came after Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lamence criticized Everton’s tactics as being “a bit over the top” in their 1-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Ramens managed to get away with a clean sheet, but said, “It’s too much, but it might be difficult for the referee to see that.”
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David Moyes is unhappy with the grappling in corners (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Moyes admitted that Everton, like other teams, will try to go beyond the referee’s limits to gain an advantage, but said he still wants referees to call more fouls.
“Whether it’s a goalkeeper block or a defender block, they’ve been allowed to let it go, but I think the referees really don’t want to get involved in any of that,” he added.
“It’s almost a struggle, which shouldn’t have happened. It should never have happened like this, but I think it’s really poor of them not to do enough to try and stop it.”
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