Arsenal have been superb this season, but heading into the North London derby, Tony Pulis has been speaking about the Gunners’ weakness in defending set-pieces.
Sunday’s North London derby is massive for Mikel Arteta’s team, who now have the chance to move seven points clear of Manchester City.
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Newcastle beat Pep Guardiola’s side at St James’ Park, and now the North Londoners have the chance to take full advantage.
However, Tony Pulis has noticed one key flaw in Arsenal’s game, and it could be an area in which Thomas Frank looks to expose at the Emirates Stadium.
Tony Pulis highlights Arsenal’s weakness in defending set pieces
Pulis has noticed that Arsenal are still having issues with defending set pieces and highlighted how it was also an issue last campaign.
Three of the five goals which the Gunners have conceded in the Premier League this term have come from set-pieces. Meanwhile, last season, 41.2 per cent of their goals against came from these situations.
The former Premier League boss has now warned Arteta that this is an area that they must address ahead of the derby.
| Goals conceded (Last season) | Set-piece goals conceded | Percentage |
| 5 (34) | 3 (14) | 60 (41.2) |
Pulis told BBC Sport: “It is something that Arsenal and Tottenham have both addressed this season, but for Arsenal, it is still a weakness when you look at the proportion of goals they concede from these situations.”
Losing Gabriel Magalhaes to a groin injury could be an even bigger blow to their chances of rectifying this issue.
Gabriel’s dominance in the air is one of Arsenal’s biggest assets, meaning having to make do without him could be a major blow.
Micky van de Ven could become key during the North London derby
This means that the biggest threat to the Gunners in the North London derby could well be Micky van de Ven, who has been excellent in these situations for Spurs.
The Dutch defender netted a brace away at Everton last month, scoring two headed goals from corners for Frank’s team.
The 24-year-old is somehow Spurs’ leading goal scorer this term with five goals in all competitions and is likely to be their biggest threat.
Frank has made set pieces a key part of his game at Tottenham, so if Arsenal can stop this, they will eliminate their rivals’ biggest danger.
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