Arsenal’s recent 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace showcased one major aspect of their game that had been previously overlooked: their prowess in corner kick situations. Mikel Arteta’s team took control of the match, scoring two goals from corner kicks, highlighting their effectiveness from dead-ball situations. This newfound strength has allowed Arsenal to regain some form after a lackluster period, although Palace’s lack of intensity must be taken into consideration. Surprisingly, set pieces were not the main focus of Arsenal’s training during their midseason break in Dubai. Nevertheless, the Gunners have proven that corners can be a valuable asset in winning games.
Before their encounter with Crystal Palace, Arsenal had won the most corners in the Premier League this season, a significant 158 in total. In comparison, Manchester City, the team with the second-highest number of corners, had only managed 141. Arsenal has made the most of their corner kicks, scoring a league-leading 10 goals from these situations, with 10 of those coming from headers. This success can be attributed, in part, to the presence of Nicolas Jover, the club’s set-piece coach, who previously worked with Arteta at Manchester City. Under Jover’s guidance, Arsenal has transformed their weakness in defending set pieces into a strength, conceding fewer goals in recent games.
Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal’s talented center-back, has been instrumental in their success from corner kicks. Since making his Premier League debut in 2020, he has scored more goals than any other center-back, a testament to his aerial ability. Against Crystal Palace, Gabriel found the back of the net with a powerful header, which was later credited as an own goal by Dean Henderson. The Brazilian defender’s contribution highlights the importance of having players who excel in the air during set-piece situations.
While corner kicks have played a significant role in Arsenal’s recent success, their goal from open play against Crystal Palace demonstrated another dimension of their attacking prowess. The goal originated from a Palace corner, which Arsenal swiftly turned into a devastating counter-attack. David Raya’s excellent distribution initiated the break, and Gabriel Jesus eventually set up Leandro Trossard, who expertly scored the goal. This goal exemplifies the Gunners’ ability to transition quickly from defense to attack, capitalizing on their opponents’ vulnerabilities.
The comfortable 5-0 scoreline against Crystal Palace allowed Arteta to make strategic substitutions, providing valuable game time to emerging talents such as Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah. This gesture not only demonstrates Arteta’s faith in their abilities but also serves as a message to other clubs showing interest in their services. However, despite these promising young players, Arsenal still lacks a clinical goal scorer, as highlighted by Michael Olise’s absence due to a hamstring injury. This weakness in their squad is an area that Arteta may need to address in the future.
Despite a lackluster performance from Crystal Palace, one positive aspect for the Eagles was the individual brilliance of Eberechi Eze. His skillful turns and quick movements provided a glimpse of talent amidst a dismal display. Nonetheless, the overall performance prompted Palace supporters to display a banner criticizing the club’s decision-making and perceived lack of progress. In contrast, Arsenal’s convincing victory has reignited their title ambitions and provided Arteta with positive data to analyze during their upcoming 10-day break.
Arsenal’s recent triumph over Crystal Palace has revealed the team’s ability to capitalize on corner kick situations, transforming what was once a weakness into a strength. With the guidance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, the Gunners have become the most dangerous team in the league from corners, scoring more goals than any other side. Moreover, Arsenal showcased their ability to score from open play through deadly counter-attacks. While improvements still need to be made, particularly in finding a clinical goal scorer, Arteta’s team has shown glimpses of their potential and the ability to compete for titles.