Journalist Darren Lewis has now insisted that one member of the Arsenal coaching staff does not get the credit that he deserves.
Nicolas Jover has been something of an unsung hero at Arsenal this season.
Jover is the Gunners’ set-piece coach, and he is given a lot of freedom by Mikel Arteta to implement his ideas. This has led to huge success for the north London club this season.
Arsenal are incredibly effective as an attacking force in set-piece situations. They have scored 18 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League so far this season, more than any other side in the division.
The likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka are all capable of delivering dangerous balls into the box in set-piece scenarios. Plenty of aerial threat is then provided by Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes, amongst others.
However, it is Jover’s design of novel and innovative set-plays which truly gives the Gunners in the edge in these scenarios. When it comes to corners and free kicks, Arsenal’s players can often be seen taking up unusual positions before making intelligent runs into space at the last moment.
The north London club aren’t averse to employing some of the game’s darker arts, either. Jover will task certain players with blocking opposition players. Ben White is also often instructed to unsettle the opposition goalkeeper via any means he can get away with.
How important is Nicolas Jover to Arsenal?
The importance of Arsenal’s set-piece excellence can scarcely be overstated. The points that their set-piece goals have earned them this season could prove crucial in the Premier League title race. It makes Arteta’s side far harder to defend against in general, too. Even if Arsenal are being frustrated and kept at bay in open play, they have another reliable route to goal to fall back upon.
Speaking to Premier League Productions (18/03/2024, 14:30), Darren Lewis gave his view on the impact that Jover has had at the Emirates Stadium. The reporter said, “Nicolas Jover, who is the most underrated probably member of staff in the Premier League. He is their set-piece coach. Mikel Arteta goes and sits down and lets him take over at free-kicks and corners, but he does the job!”
“He is somebody we sometimes laugh at clubs that get these guys in to try and find the marginal gains. But he has done that particular job and I just think they are the small things in what is going to be a [title] race of very, very fine margins, that could prove to be the difference.”
Arsenal will continue to rely on Jover to evolve and improve their set-pieces. He is a hugely important part of Arteta’s coaching team, and his influence should not be overlooked.