Arsenal must remain the 'masters' of set pieces after Mikel Arteta secured his 150th win in charge of the Gunners.
Arteta's landmark win came when Arsenal beat United 2-0 on Wednesday.
After being frustrated in the first half, two goals from two corners from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba secured an important 2-0 win for Arsenal after the break.
Arsenal have now scored more goals from corners (22) than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season. Ten of those have opened the scoring, which is also a division-high total in that period.
The Gunners also had more shots from corners (seven) than from open play (six) against United, while they also had 13 corners in the match with no response from the visitors.
“I hope that's not the case,” Arteta said when asked how opponents have not found a way to stop his side's regular routines.
“We want to have the ability to score from every phase of play. It's something that has worked, and the more resources you have, the harder it becomes for your opponent.
“We were very efficient with our set pieces, while we were not efficient with our chances inside the penalty area and in open play. But we won the match, so we are happy.
“We are the masters today, but we must keep working and remain the masters.”
Wednesday's result also saw Arsenal record a fourth consecutive league win against United for the first time in their history.
They have also won each of their last four home games against the Red Devils, which is the longest streak since April 1978 (seven in a row).
7 – Arsenal conceded more shots from corners (7) than from open play (6) against Manchester United. Indeed, the Red Devils conceded two goals from corners in a Premier League match for the first time since January 2014 (against Chelsea). Targeted. pic.twitter.com/NHnzmR0hXb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2024
Despite the win, Arsenal dropped to third in the standings after Chelsea's 5–1 thrashing of Southampton, but they managed to close the gap on leaders Liverpool.
Arne Slot's side dropped points in an enthralling 3-3 draw against Newcastle United, although Declan Rice, after making his 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal, said it was too early for title talk.
“It's good, but people get carried away with the title talk. I was involved with my first one last year,” Rice told Amazon Prime.
“You have to be in and around it by February. It's too early to predict what's going on. Liverpool have dropped points. What is that, ten more?”
“Oh seven, it's closer, but there's still a long way to go, we just have to keep believing in ourselves.”
Arteta echoed Rice's thoughts, saying: “I didn't know they had dropped points because I was celebrating so much in the dressing room. We got that news but it's difficult to win this competition. It's still bad early.”
Next up for Arteta's side is a trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Sunday before returning to the Emirates to take on Monaco in the Champions League.
Comments