Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the Gunners’ growing dominance from set pieces is the result of nearly a decade of strategic planning.
The North London club has become the first team in Premier League history to score 10 set-piece goals this early in a season — a feat that underscores their evolution under Arteta.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s weekend clash with Crystal Palace, Arteta revealed that his focus on set-piece mastery began long before his managerial career took off.
“About ten years ago, I started developing a vision,” Arteta said. “I wanted to create a method and surround myself with the best people to deliver it. During my time at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola, I learned where we could improve and how vital set-pieces could be to a team’s success.”
That vision took further shape when Arteta met Nicolas Jover while earning his coaching badges. Jover, who previously served as Brentford’s set-piece coach, joined Arsenal in 2021 and has since become a key figure in their tactical approach.
Arteta credited Jover with helping to instill a new culture around set-piece efficiency.
“We gave that part of the game the importance it deserves,” Arteta noted. “Football is evolving, and so is how opponents play against us. We must maximise every situation that happens frequently in matches.”
The Gunners’ impressive attacking record is matched by their defensive solidity. Arsenal have conceded only three goals in the Premier League so far and have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League. Their defensive numbers after 12 games are now the best in the club’s 138-year history.
Arteta says the team’s aim is not just to set records but to translate their dominance into trophies.
“We want these kinds of records, but ultimately, we want silverware,” he said. “The more consistent we are, the closer we’ll be to achieving our goals. It’s a great start, but we can still get better.”
Arsenal, who last won the Premier League title in 2004, continue to show signs of a team capable of ending that long wait.
— AFP
