Loving The Setpieces
Gone are the days when Arsenal only played beautiful football without results. The narrative has changed and both now come in handy; good football and results. The latter just needs to be take a notch higher.
Two well-taken goals from unlikely scorers; Saliba and Gabriel (well not really unlikely like we've seen last season), but not in unlikely fashion from two corners by, both assisted by Declan Rice helped Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Lyon in the Emirate Cup. While we have unlocked the potential of Rice in taking setpieces, it looks like we are looking to continue our form on setpieces from last season.
We scored about 24% of our goals last season through setpieces and aside from that stat making us the team with the highest goals from setpieces, we have also become stronger on the other end by conceding the second lowest number of goals from setpieces, only behind Manchester City.
I remember those days when Arsenal used to be a weakling in setpieces at both ends. We were muscled in attacked and bullied in defence as we always crumbled at setpieces. We have indeed endured times.
I also remember Liverpool of yesteryears, when they used to be deadly at setpieces, especially corner kicks. The likes of John Arne Riise, Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard. They have setpieces a different look.
No doubt, Nikola Jover has done a great work with the Arsenal team. What I still wonder is why he always stands on the touchline whenever it's time for a setpiece. My thinking is, perhaps, he communicates what style or approach for each.
I'm hoping we can keep up the good work this season.
I think that a big contribution to this is the strength amongst the first XI. If I was to ask you who the weakest player in the team was, it would probably be Martinelli/Trossard or maybe Saka. They’re all much more physical players which helps a lot when defending or attacking the box.