Mikel Arteta has had a transformative impact at Arsenal in his time as manager, but some of his backroom staff have been crucial.
Arteta’s main assistant is Dutchman Albert Stuivenberg, but his set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been rapidly growing in status.
Arsenal have become the best set-piece team in the Premier League in recent years with Jover earning credit for his influence in both attacking and defensive situations.
But just who is Nicolas Jover, and how has he had such a huge impact on Arsenal and Arteta?
Who is Arsenal’s set-piece coach?
Arsenal’s set-piece coach is Frenchman Nicolas Jover, who joined in 2021 from Manchester City.
Jover began his coaching career with French side Montpelier, where he worked between 2009 and 2016 as video analyst, for a team containing Olivier Giroud.
He moved to Brentford in 2016, where he first became a set-piece coach, and stayed in West London for three years before joining Man City.
Jover worked under Pep Guardiola for two years before joining Arsenal when his contract expired, in a move which reportedly frustrated Man City.
Nicolas Jover’s age, height and birthplace
Nicolas Jover was born on October 28, 1981, making him 43 years old at the time of writing. Although he holds French Nationality, Jover was born in Berlin, Germany, and was raised in France before moving to Quebec, Canada to study in his 20s.
Nicolas Jover’s impact at Arsenal
Jover’s impact has been clear, with Arsenal dramatically improving at set-pieces since his introduction to Arteta’s backroom team.
In the 2023-24 season, Arsenal scored 20 league goals from set-pieces, the highest total in the Premier League, with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes particularly impactful on them.
Jover’s influence on attacking set-piece routines became clear, with Arsenal employing different strategies which has seen them play it short, or have Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka whipping in crosses.
What Mikel Arteta has said about Nicolas Jover
Arteta knew Jover from his time at Man City, and was instrumental in bringing him to Arsenal.
Speaking after a North London Derby in September 2024, which was won from a Gabriel header from a corner, Arteta claimed Jover was the best in his business.
“In his field, in other fields and as a person. And the relationship that we have – that’s why I made the decision to bring him to City when I was there and then to Arsenal,” Arteta stated of Jover.
“Him and the rest of the staff have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches. This is a really powerful one and he has given us a lot. So a big compliment to all of them.”
Why Gary Neville loves Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover
Jover’s brilliance caught the attention of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who praised him after Arsenal scored two set-piece goals in 45 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur.
“He’s a little nuisance, that set piece coach, but he’s damn good,” Neville stated on Sky Sports.
Why Nicolas Jover has strained relationship with Man City
Jover’s exit from Man City did not go down too well, and there have been several incidents since.
In January 2022, Man City beat Arsenal in the last minute at the Emirates, and Jover reportedly did not shake hands with any of his former colleagues.
After Arsenal beat Man City in October 2023, Kyle Walker had an altercation with Jover, which he later explained.
“I don’t like losing. A couple of matches before, Nico, who worked for Man City, he did not want to shake hands when we beat them before,” Walker stated.
“When we lost, he wanted to shake my hand and I did not take it lightly. Simple as that.”
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