Jamie Redknapp has slammed Nicolas Jover and Martin Odegaard after a costly mistake in Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.
The Gunners were unable to put away chances, while the Magpies showed they can be at their clinical best in the clash.
Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak gave his side the lead, capitalising on a bobbling ball from an attacking set-piece.
The home side pushed at the Emirates Stadium but put down some big opportunities before Anthony Gordon grabbed a second.
It means Arsenal have all the work to do in the EFL Cup to earn a place in the final, with a huge few weeks ahead.
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Jamie Redknapp questions Arsenal defensive set-pieces
One particular issue on the night for Arsenal was set pieces, which has been something of a strength of theirs over recent matches.
The problem came in that they were dangerous in attacking phases without being clinical, while they conceded off of one of the few that Newcastle were awarded.
A free-kick, that led to Alexander Isak scoring, came in for some criticism from Jamie Redknapp after the match.
The former player was baffled by Martin Odegaard’s role in the goal from the set-piece, bringing Nicolas Jover into question.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It blows my mind where you can have a situation where Odegaard is marking that man [Isak]. He’s the most fearsome striker in the Premier League right now, so difficult to mark, and you end up with Odegaard.
“You’ve got to detail someone there, the set-piece coach… You’ve got Timber outside him [Isak] I would say if I’m a defender ‘let’s swap and I’ll come inside and you mark Gordon’ because that is just a massive problem.
“Odegaard never looks comfortable and I’ve been in that position as a midfield player, he’s playing with his sock there, not really interested and now he’s two yards ahead of him. Now, Isak is in control of the situation if the ball comes to him.
“Odegaard doesn’t think defensively, so you have to detail someone. And the set-piece coach [Nicolas Jover], I said it at half-time that he gets a lot of credit and rightly so for the attacking set pieces, things like that, that isn’t good enough from my point of view.”
It’s some rare criticism for Nicolas Jover, with the set-piece coach often working wonders with the team.
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Arsenal must provide more than set-piece threat
Arsenal have provided plenty of threat from set-pieces throughout the season, but now goals have started to dry up, it is a fresh issue.
The reality is that from open play, there needs to be more threat to help unlock teams in more ways than one.
Theo Walcott called on more flair from Arsenal in their play, stating that they are moving too far away from what the club should with their playing style.
It remains to be seen if the Gunners can add the players who will be able to inject that something different to the team, but it’s clear that the transfer window will be key to that.
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