Arsenal matched remarkable 2009 record during Premier League clash vs Fulham

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Arsenal were held to a draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

As they dropped two points against the West London outfit, Arsenal were unable to close the gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool to the extent that they will have been hoping to.

Mikel Arteta will have been frustrated with the lack of cutting edge his side showed against Fulham. Although the Gunners enjoyed more than their fair share of possession and territory, they were unable to carve out enough clear cut chances, particularly from open play.

As could perhaps have been predicted, Arsenal’s only goal of the game came from a set-piece, as William Saliba prodded home an equaliser from a corner.

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Arsenal equal club record vs Fulham

Arteta’s side are the set-piece masters in the Premier League. Arsenal fans even sang as they won their first corner against Fulham.

As Saliba found the net after the break, he also played his part in equalling a club record.

As shared by OptaJoe on X: “Arsenal have scored 20 goals from set pieces (excluding pens) in the Premier League in 2024; their joint-most in a calendar year in the competition (also 20 in 2009).”

Whilst Arsenal’s set-piece prowess is an incredibly useful weapon for them to have to call upon, it was not quite enough to carry them to victory against Fulham.

However, it might have been had Thomas Partey managed to convert his golden opportunity when a Declan Rice delivery from a corner set him up for a free header from close range.

Nicolas Jover influence keeping Premier League title dream alive

The Gunners’ brilliance in these scenarios is down to the influence of Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.

The Frenchman is trusted to mastermind the players’ approach to corners and free kicks, and he has proven himself to be enormously effective.

Whilst Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions are now hanging by a thread, it is certain to say that they would already be long dead and buried were it not for Jover.

However, the Gunners are over-reliant upon his brilliance, and lacking in efficiency and killer instinct in open play. Arteta must address this squad flaw in the transfer market as a matter of urgency.