Arsenal will face Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, and the Gunners may have a decisive advantage thanks to their unique set-piece routines. While rival fans often mocked Arsenal’s set-piece approach last season after several failed attempts, it remains a potent weapon when executed correctly.
Liverpool, in particular, will find this worrying, as they have struggled defensively in this area. The Reds conceded twice from set-pieces in their most recent match, highlighting a vulnerability that Arsenal could exploit. Despite winning consecutive matches, Liverpool’s defensive shape has not yet reached its optimum, leaving potential openings for a well-rehearsed attacking side.
Arsenal’s Set-Piece Threat
Arsenal’s proficiency at set-pieces adds an extra dimension to their attacking play, enhancing their overall goal-scoring potential. Even with Liverpool deploying a structured defensive system under Arne Slot, the Gunners are likely to create opportunities, particularly from corners and free-kicks. The presence of a top striker in the team further increases the threat, providing more options both in open play and from dead-ball situations.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Arne Slot acknowledged Arsenal’s strength in this area, as quoted on the Liverpool website:
“If you then look at all the quality they have and especially one thing that stands out in the season until now, and what stands out in a negative way for us is we have conceded, if I include the [Athletic Club] Bilbao game, [from] four set-pieces. Of course, as we all know, that is one of their strengths – not the strength, but one of their strengths.”
Balancing Set-Pieces with Open Play
While set-pieces are a key weapon for Arsenal, the team also recognises the importance of scoring from open play. With a fully fit top striker now available, Mikel Arteta’s side can combine their dead-ball routines with fluid attacking moves to maximise goal-scoring opportunities. This dual threat makes Arsenal unpredictable and difficult to defend against, particularly for a Liverpool side still seeking consistency at the back.
Arsenal’s ability to exploit both set-pieces and open-play situations gives them a strong chance of success in this weekend’s match, underlining their status as one of the Premier League’s most versatile attacking teams.
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‘ While rival fans often mocked Arsenal set pieces approach last season after several fail attempts ‘
That was in the absence of the big Brazilian, A keep telling fans, the injury to Gabriel Magahlase cost us the title.
But Arsenal go to man, when the going get rough is back and oh lord, what a place to struck and pick up where he had left off in the last campaign
What we should remember, though, is the new rule regarding shirt pulling in the penalty area, both for us and against us.
Would White get away with some of the antics he’s done, if the VAR officials spot him doing this, while checking for other misdemeaners?
White should get away with it if the likes of v dijk and konate get away with it. This rule in theory is a great choice and desperately needed to stamp out some of the antics we see in dead ball situations in the league but the reality is it will be applied selectively depending on the ref tolerance again fueling controversy.