Manager Declan Rice has insisted those criticizing Arsenal’s prolific set-piece goals are simply jealous because they cannot emulate the Gunners’ success. Arsenal have scored 19 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, five more than any other team, but their tactics have been criticized. The impressive record from dead-ball situations is due to the quality pitching of Rice, Bukayo Saka and others, as well as the aerial prowess of Gabriel Magalhães.
But it also relies heavily on the movement and blocking schemes devised by set-piece coach Nicola Jobar. Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s tactics ahead of last week’s game against Arsenal, lamenting that there was “no clear rule” to stop blocks. He also hinted that the current Premier League is dominated by set-pieces, depriving fans of entertainment.
Haseler isn’t the first to criticize league leaders, and Rice says it’s harder than it looks. “It’s confusing because it comes from us and it’s how we set it up and then everyone talks about it and then everyone runs it!” Rice told i.
“But they’re not doing it to the level that we’re doing it. You can see that when you see teams taking corner kicks. We can still improve and that’s the good thing.”
Arsenal’s set-piece routine typically involves the attacker positioning himself beyond the far post, then moving towards the six-yard area when making the delivery. Rice is proud of the fact that 32.2 per cent of his Premier League goals this season have come from non-penalty set-pieces.
“We have something we’re really good at. There’s a lot that goes into that. It’s not just us driving it into a corner and someone heads it in,” he added.
“To score goals you have to have execution, timing and planning that is definitely successful and we have done that many times this season. It is a long meeting with set-pieces and repeats on the pitch so I want to give credit to all of us.”
“Every team changes the way they play and defend against us, so it’s up to us to find a way to score, and we’ve done that.”
Manager Mikel Arteta said he wants his players to further improve their set-pieces and “become the best and most dominant team in all aspects of the game.”
