Arsenal’s proficiency in set-pieces has been a game-changer under Mikel Arteta. With 22 goals from corners since last season, the Gunners lead the Premier League in this metric.
Their recent 2-0 victory over Manchester United saw Jurrien Timber and William Saliba capitalize on corners, emphasizing their aerial dominance.
Despite some criticism likening their style to Stoke City’s physical approach during their Premier League days, Arteta took it positively, highlighting Stoke’s effectiveness in exploiting set-pieces. He reiterated Arsenal’s ambition to be unparalleled in every aspect of football.
Arteta’s Vision for Excellence
Arteta praised Nicolas Jover, the set-piece coach, for his transformative impact on the team’s dead-ball strategies. However, he dismissed the notion of being trailblazers, acknowledging that many teams historically excel in set-pieces.
The Arsenal boss stressed his desire for continuous improvement, aiming to surpass last season’s record-breaking set-piece performance. Arteta’s response reflected confidence in his squad’s ability to raise their game further in Sunday’s clash against Fulham.
Taking Criticism in Stride
Responding to remarks from Dimitar Berbatov and Gary Neville, Arteta emphasized that such critiques validate Arsenal’s progress.
He framed the comparisons as a testament to his team’s effectiveness and resilience, aligning with their goal to be the best in every domain.
