The art of Arsenal's set-piece mastery lies in a delicate balance of finesse and brute force, one that has enabled the team to dominate the Premier League this season. By launching balls squarely into the six-yard box, where towering defenders like William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhäs often meet their match, Arsenal have capitalized on the element of surprise.
But it's not just about the physical presence of these giants; Arteta's side has also harnessed the value of clever positioning and movement off the ball. With a range of players able to create goals from corners, including Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke, the burden is no longer solely on Rice and Saka – although those two have been instrumental in delivering those deadly deliveries.
The pattern of corner deliveries is remarkably consistent, with three-quarters aimed squarely at the six-yard box. This deliberate strategy allows Arsenal to exploit the space and confusion created by their defenders' attempts to counterattack. The pace and chaos that ensues often prove too much for opposing goalkeepers, who are left scrambling to keep up.
However, this aggressive approach comes with a risk – if opponents can adapt and press high up the pitch, they might be able to neutralize Arsenal's set-piece threat. As one observer noted after a recent defeat at Brighton, "we need to do the same" in terms of creating chaos in the box. But so far, Arteta's team has been well ahead of the game.
The key to their success lies not just in the individual skills of players like Rice and Saka but also in the intricate network of movement and positioning off the ball. With a deep bench of talented players able to create goals from corners, Arsenal are a force to be reckoned with – one that opponents will need to carefully study if they hope to counter their set-piece dominance.
As the season wears on, teams may try new approaches, such as defending corners more aggressively or employing long-throw specialists like Thomas Grønnemark. But for now, it's Arsenal who hold the upper hand – and they're not about to let go without a fight.
But it's not just about the physical presence of these giants; Arteta's side has also harnessed the value of clever positioning and movement off the ball. With a range of players able to create goals from corners, including Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke, the burden is no longer solely on Rice and Saka – although those two have been instrumental in delivering those deadly deliveries.
The pattern of corner deliveries is remarkably consistent, with three-quarters aimed squarely at the six-yard box. This deliberate strategy allows Arsenal to exploit the space and confusion created by their defenders' attempts to counterattack. The pace and chaos that ensues often prove too much for opposing goalkeepers, who are left scrambling to keep up.
However, this aggressive approach comes with a risk – if opponents can adapt and press high up the pitch, they might be able to neutralize Arsenal's set-piece threat. As one observer noted after a recent defeat at Brighton, "we need to do the same" in terms of creating chaos in the box. But so far, Arteta's team has been well ahead of the game.
The key to their success lies not just in the individual skills of players like Rice and Saka but also in the intricate network of movement and positioning off the ball. With a deep bench of talented players able to create goals from corners, Arsenal are a force to be reckoned with – one that opponents will need to carefully study if they hope to counter their set-piece dominance.
As the season wears on, teams may try new approaches, such as defending corners more aggressively or employing long-throw specialists like Thomas Grønnemark. But for now, it's Arsenal who hold the upper hand – and they're not about to let go without a fight.