Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has hailed one Arsenal figure for having a huge influence on their game with Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite an energetic start from the hosts, Arsenal were able to secure a 3-0 lead by half-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
This was a must-win game for both of these fierce North London rivals. Tottenham needed three points in their race for a top four finish, whilst a victory for Arsenal would keep the pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
How Nicolas Jover designed Arsenal impact v Spurs
Mikel Arteta’s side weren’t at their free-flowing best in the first half of this derby clash. There were plenty of sloppy passes and loose touches, and had they been more efficient in the final third then Spurs may well have punished the Gunners.
The big difference between the two sides at the break, though, came down to the fact that Arsenal did take their chances.
Two of the Gunners’ goals in this opening period came from set-pieces. Arsenal scored from two corners, having already come into this match as the Premier League’s most successful attacking outfit in such scenarios. Spurs will have known what to expect, but could not do enough to keep the visitors at bay.
With just 15 minutes on the clock, Bukayo Saka delivered a corner into the near post, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could only glance the ball into the back of his own net under pressure from Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Gary Neville hails Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover for influence against Tottenham
As his side took the lead, Arteta could be seen celebrating on the touchline alongside the Arsenal set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover. Seeing this, and commentating on Sky Sports (28/04/2024, 14:16), Gary Neville referred to Jover as a “little nuisance.”
The pundit was referencing the French coach’s innovative and dynamic set-piece tactics which opposition sides have struggled to counter all season. Such has his influence been, Jover has even been referred to as the “most underrated player” in the Arsenal set-up.
His hand could be seen at work again later in the first half. After Saka had put Arsenal 2-0, having been played through on goal by Kai Havertz, the German forward was the next to profit from a set-piece routine.
As Declan Rice whipped a ball in, Havertz was able to find space in the box to nod in from close range. Watching on, Neville again credited Jover, calling him a “set-piece guru.”
Arsenal were able to see out the second half and hold on to win 3-2 thanks to the Jover-orchestrated goals that had already afforded them a comfortable lead.