Manchester United were left shell-shocked at the Emirates after a solid first-half display on Wednesday night. The visitors managed to keep the high-flying Gunners at bay for the first 45 minutes. But, a devastating pair of Arsenal corners drew the line between the two sides.
This is a script we’ve seen several times before in the Premier League, with Arsenal terrifying their opponents with near-perfect corners. But how have they become so good at it?
Why are Arsenal Corners So Lethal?
Both of Arsenal’s goals in their impressive victory against Manchester United came from corner kicks. This brings the total number of goals from Arsenal corners to 22 since the start of last season. That means, they have scored five ahead of any other team across Europe’s top five leagues.
Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov jokingly dubbed Arsenal the “new Stoke City,” referencing their formidable set-piece threat, particularly from throw-ins, during Tony Pulis’ tenure from 2008 to 2013.
“I understood very well what Berbatov said. It was said in the best possible way. We take it as a big compliment,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said in response.
Arsenal, long seen as lacking in toughness and resilience, have now become one of the best teams in the league at scoring from set-pieces. So, what sparked this transformation? It all stems from the arrival of French set-piece coach Nicolas Jover in 2021, who was brought in by Mikel Arteta from Manchester City.
Since then, Arsenal have added a new dimension to their play. In the Premier League, the average match sees between 10 and 11 corners, roughly 5.5 for each team. It’s clear that if a team can convert those five or six corners into real goalscoring opportunities, they’re significantly increasing their chances of success. As a result, set-pieces have become a key area of focus at the Emirates.
Each time Arsenal are awarded a corner or a dangerous free-kick, Arteta takes a seat in the dugout. Jover takes charge, paces the technical area, and directs the players with clear instructions. As the numbers indicate, his work is making a real impact.
Since the beginning of last season, Arsenal have netted more goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) than any other team in the Premier League. Jover deserves the credit for this remarkable success.
Gabriel: The Biggest Goalscoring Threat From Arsenal Corners
Gabriel’s €26m move from Lille to Arsenal in the summer of 2020 is proving to be one of the most shrewd Premier League signings of recent times. Alongside William Saliba, the Brazilian has formed one of the most dominant centre-back partnerships in world football.
Gabriel’s assertive, front-foot defending pairs seamlessly with Saliba’s composed, measured approach. However, it’s not just his top-tier defending that has made Gabriel a standout in an Arsenal jersey. He has evolved into a real threat in the opposition’s penalty area. His impressive leap and precise timing on headers from Arsenal corners has struck fear into defenders.
Gabriel has redefined what it means to be a goal-scoring defender. The Brazilian has racked up 15 Premier League goals over the last three seasons—a total that leaves his peers in the dust. Virgil van Dijk, the nearest challenger, sits far behind with nine. Gabriel’s scoring rate of 0.12 goals per game is a rare distinction in league history, matched only by Thomas Vermaelen and Frank Leboeuf among centre-backs with 100+ appearances.
