One of the best managers in Europe might have changed his tactics because of Mikel Arteta

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Mikel Arteta has gone from Pep Guardiola’s sidekick to one of the most impressive managers in Europe.

The Arsenal manager took three years to get his side in order before announcing to the Premier League that the Gunners were ready to challenge for the title once more.

Arteta has his lovers and those who loathe him, with Arsenal’s tactics often under fire.

Though Arteta has been accused of being one-dimensional, likened to Tony Pulis and criticised for an array of things, the Spaniard is a source of inspiration in Europe.

• READ MORE: Tony Pulis shares how he really feels about Nicolas Jover’s set-pieces at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta might’ve influenced Diego Simeone to practice set pieces

If there’s one area that Arteta’s side excels in, it’s set-pieces.

Arsenal are so good from set-play that people dislike the Gunners for it, but to other managers, a sense of envy is the natural emotion.

One manager who has been stung by Arsenal’s set-piece mastery this season is Diego Simeone, who might’ve taken a leaf out of Arteta’s book following Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 defeat at the Emirates.

A report from Spanish outlet AS detailed that ‘Simeone doesn’t give up on set pieces’.

It’s come to light that Simeone is working tirelessly in an attempt to improve Atletico’s output from set-play.

AS noted that there’s a ‘concern’ at Atletico because of how set-play situations are not capitalised on frequently enough.

It could well be that Arteta’s triumphs from dead-ball scenarios when Atletico visited the Emirates have inspired Simeone, and it wouldn’t be completely wild to suggest that the Arsenal boss is a source of inspiration.

In the contest at the Emirates, Atletico had more corners than Arsenal, but it was the Gunners who managed to score from a routine.

Also in the game, Arsenal got the better of Atletico from a free-kick, one that the opposition didn’t believe should have stood, but one that they couldn’t prevent from finding its way into the net.

As Arsenal managed to keep Atletico out and score from two set-piece routines on the night, it comes as no surprise to learn that Simeone’s side are now hammering home the importance of set-play.

Arsenal’s set-pieces will be tested against Tottenham

Despite the success that Nicolas Jover has had at Arsenal, the topic of set-pieces is actually a touchy subject at present.

That’s because Arsenal will be without Gabriel’s set-piece threat on Sunday, and the timing couldn’t have come at a worse point.

Gabriel scored twice in the North London Derbies last season, with both goals coming from corners, and now, Arsenal will have to get by without their Brazilian maestro.

It’s not only the defender’s absence that could be an issue, but Tottenham’s strength in the area too, as the Lilywhites have only conceded two set pieces in the Premier League this season, one fewer than Arsenal.

Jover can show that he truly has every answer to get the better of the opposition on Sunday, with Gabriel’s absence and Spurs’ defensive strength to consider.