Jurrien Timber says that Premier League teams putting more focus on set-pieces is an advantage for Arsenal.
The Dutchman scored Arsenal’s match-winner against Chelsea from a corner, following on from William Saliba’s opener from a similar routine.
Mikel Arteta will not care how the game was won, as Arsenal utilised their set-piece strength to claim three points from a contest that the Gunners looked lacklustre going forward in once again.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s lack of attacking power was irrelevant, as the game was won; however, what was relevant was how the game was shaped by set-pieces.
After the game, Timber spoke about the importance of corners and how the entire Premier League has changed their mood towards set-play.
William Saliba writes Arsenal into history – how many more times will this happen this season?
Set-piece Kings 👑
Jurrien Timber says teams focusing more on set-pieces is an advantage for Arsenal
Speaking to Sky Sports, the defender reflected on the game.
“We deserved to win this game. In the first half, we didn’t give much away, and it was a shame we went back to the dressing room at 1-1, but we finished it off in the second half,” Timber said.
The 24-year-old then turned his attention to set-play.
“Corners became an important part of the game. Teams are focusing on it more, and that is in our advantage.”
Timber’s statement was spot on, as even with the additional focus from Premier League teams on set-play, it’s Arsenal who cannot be stopped.
Set-pieces are great, but they can’t mask the fact that Arsenal need to improve
Against the Blues, Arteta’s side matched a Premier League record, as by scoring their 15th and 16th corner goals of the season, they matched West Brom and Oldham’s record of 16 in a single campaign.
Record-breaking and match-winning tactics from set-play are only positive, but not entirely.
Honest answers only: Is our attack really good enough to win the Premier League?
How many times this season have we seen set-play supremacy bail Arsenal out of an otherwise below-par performance?
Arsenal have been told that they have no superstars in attack, and that’s difficult to argue, as against Chelsea, the Gunners only managed to record 1.13 expected goals, creating only two chances.
The numbers aren’t exciting, and neither is what we see on the pitch week in, week out, and it leaves many wondering when something will have to give.
Set-pieces are an advantage for Arsenal, but when the answers can’t come from a dead-ball scenario, they are difficult to locate elsewhere.
The attacking performance levels, and consequently, over-reliance on set-play, is not sustainable, but can Arsenal win a Premier League title despite this?
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