Arsenal's set piece goals: Pundit suggests defensive strategies for opponents
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Gabriel celebrates scoring for Arsenal on September 15, 2024 (Credit: Imago)

Arsenal's set piece goals: Pundit suggests defensive strategies for opponents

Seye Omidiora 23:46 - 18.09.2024

The Gunners have netted more goals from set pieces than any English club in the last year, leading to a retired player offering countermeasures.

Former Scotland and Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley believes opponents should think outside the box to limit Arsenal’s threat from set pieces. 

Arsenal’s set-piece mastery

Thanks to set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, Mikel Arteta's team have become menacing since the Frenchman joined the Gunners from Manchester City in 2021. 

Mikel Arteta and Nicolas Jover
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover (Credit: Imago)

According to Opta, 24 goals since the start of the previous campaign have been from such situations, with Gabriel's header in Sunday's North London derby victory the latest in the growing list of first-rate execution from dead-balls.

What Burley said

Speaking on ESPN, the former player advised opposition managers to leave a few attacking players outside the defending box to declutter the 18-yard area and have possible counter-attacking threats. 

Craig Burley
Ex-Scotland and Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley pictured in 2012 (Imago/Allstar)

“You have to try to thin out the penalty area to stop that,” suggested Burley. “And that is thinking of maybe leaving three players up the field to attract at least four back.

“If Tottenham left three of their quick players up the field, Arsenal are not going to leave two back, are they? They probably aren’t going to leave three on three. You just can’t take the risk.

“When you drag everybody back, Arsenal are going to push as many as they can forward, and there are going to be bodies in there.”

What comes next?

Arsenal travel to Atalanta on Thursday to begin their Champions League campaign before facing Manchester City this Sunday.