Arsenal have been hugely effective from set-piece situations in recent seasons.
Arsenal will welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League clash this afternoon.
The Saints will be wary of the threat that Mikel Arteta’s side pose from set-piece situations.
The Gunners were able to turn one of these scenarios to their advantage against PSG last time out, as Bukayo Saka found the back of the net as his free kick crept through a crowd of bodies and beat the goalkeeper.
Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover is a hugely trusted and influential figure at the club, and an individual that Arteta has great faith in.
Jover speaks to the Arsenal players at half-time, and clearly has more detailed discussions with individuals within the squad.
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Martin Odegaard holds talks with Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover
Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard has now opened up about a discussion he recently held with Jover himself.
As quoted by the official Arsenal website, after Saka’s strike against PSG, the Norwegian playmaker said: “It was good to see us score a direct free kick as well – finally! It has been a long time since we last scored one, I think it was my one at Burnley a few years ago, and we have spoken about that as a group.
“To be honest, we don’t get too many chances from free-kicks in those positions. I’ve spoken with the set-piece coach about this as well, and we looked back at last season, and noticed we didn’t have a lot of chances in good positions to shoot.
“They are hard to score from, but the more you get, the more chance you have. It’s an important part of set pieces as well, and it’s something I work on a lot, as do a few of the players, so we’re just waiting for those chances now.”
Odegaard nearing Arsenal return
The club captain is currently sidelined. However, Odegaard recently provided an injury update, and Arteta will be hoping to have the 25-year-old back in action soon.
However, the Gunners have coped well in his absence, remaining unbeaten in the six games he has missed so far. Leandro Trossard has stepped up and impressed whilst deputising in Odegaard’s more central role.
The Belgian will have a vital role to play against the Saints again today, as will Saka, not least due to the quality of his set-piece deliveries.
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