Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have firmly destroyed the set-piece tagline after latest run of brilliant open play success
Arsenal were getting scrutinised considerably earlier in the season for a supposed reliance on goals from set pieces. When Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury occurred for Brazil, the question mark was raised if the loss of their corner and free-kick cheat code would cost them; turns out, not so much.
Not only was Piero Hincapie excellent in the Brazilian’s stead, but how Arsenal meticulously pulled Tottenham Hotspur apart and scored three excellent goals from open play has firmly destroyed those suggestions.
Leandro Trossard’s great finish after a beautiful pass from Mikel Merino, preceded by three Eberechi Eze strikes from around the edge of the box. All the chances came from turnovers in possession or build-up as the Gunners peppered the Spurs’ box.
But it is not just here. In Sunderland, both goals from Trossard and Bukayo Saka were great shots on goal after some strong passing play. Merino’s two goals at Slavia Prague after Saka’s penalty came from crosses into the box, not from set pieces but open play attacks.
Declan Rice’s header at Burnley in the days prior to the European trip came from a great counterattack sparked by a clearance from a Clarets long throw. Ethan Nwaneri and Saka scored two great goals in the League Cup win over Brighton to take them to another quarter-final in the competition for the second season running.
Arsenal are running riot now and have found their groove. 11 of the Gunners’ last 13 goals have come from open play.
That said, with the set piece threat while Rice and Saka are on the corners, they will continue to be a great threat from the dead-ball situations. But the “set piece again, olay olay!” chant has been put on ice for a little while.
Even more exciting is that Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli returned to the squad on Sunday. Furthermore, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Jesus are all working to return as soon as possible, too.
There is such excitement that what Arsenal are showing is far from their potential ceiling. Bayern Munich and Chelsea are up next, and the squad faces it's toughest test so far.