Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman has now shared an insight into Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s approach to set-pieces.
Arsenal have been incredibly successful from set-pieces this season.
The Gunners scored two goals from corners in the 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Ultimately, it was their supremacy in these situations which proved to be the difference between these bitter local rivals in the North London derby.
Arsenal have scored more goals from corners than any other Premier League side this season. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka provide reliable delivery, whilst the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz, and William Saliba offer aerial targets to aim for. Meanwhile, Ben White often puts his mastery of the dark arts to use by making life difficult for opposition goalkeepers.
Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was hailed by Gary Neville for his role in the win over Spurs. The Frenchman was poached from Manchester City by Mikel Arteta soon after his appointment at the Emirates Stadium. The pair had worked together when the Spanish coach was an assistant to Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Leon Osman reveals long-standing affinity with set-pieces held by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
However, Arteta himself deserves plenty of credit for the manner in which his side make the most of set-piece situations.
Leon Osman, who played alongside the former midfielder for several years when they were both on the books at Everton, is unsurprised by the Gunners’ prowess in this regard.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club podcast, the 42-year-old said “it’s no surprise to see Mikel Arteta’s teams are very good at corners.
“[At Everton] Arteta was the one that was delivering them in. He had great set-piece delivery and it was our fault if we didn’t get on the end of them and didn’t score.”
Why set-pieces are so important to Arsenal
Arteta clearly appreciated the importance of set-pieces as a player, and has applied those same principles to his approach as a manager. Working in tandem with Jover, he has made corners and free-kicks a dangerous weapon at his team’s disposal.
Whilst the Gunners are more than capable of playing free-flowing, eye-catching attacking football, the fact that they have this alternative route to goal to call upon makes them incredibly difficult to defend against.
If the likes of Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus don’t unlock an opponent with their slick interplay, then Havertz, Rice, Gabriel, and Saliba will surely batter the door down instead.
