On Friday afternoon, Mikel Arteta was asked whether Declan Rice’s absence from the north London derby might affect Arsenal’s set-piece prowess.
Since joining from West Ham, Rice has expanded his game, even contributing assists from inswinging corners delivered with his right foot.
“It’s a very specific phase of play but if we were only dependent on one player, then we have a problem,” replied Arteta.
“We haven’t built our methodology or our way of attacking or defending any phase of play in that way. So we are going to adapt to whatever players that we have and we will still be very efficient. Hopefully, we can continue to do that.”
Fast forward to the 64th minute on Sunday. Bukayo Saka has won a corner at the end of a fast counter-attack. In front of the travelling Gooners, he takes a moment, surveys an increasingly busy Sp*rs box, hops up to the ball and delivers a beautiful curling, dipping cross straight onto the head of Gabriel Magalhaes. The moment the Brazilian makes contact it’s rippling the net. Goal. Deadlock broken. Game over.
It was the 24th set-piece goal Arsenal have scored in the Premier League since the start of last season, the most in the top flight. Four of them have come against Sp*rs.
On the touchline, Arteta celebrated with Nicolas Jover, the man he recruited from Manchester City to hone Arsenal’s tactics from such situations. Afterwards, the Spaniard was asked if his assistant was the best in his field. He didn’t hold back in his answer.
“In his field, in other fields, as a person, the relationship that we have, that’s why I made a decision to bring him to City when I was there and then to Arsenal,” said Arteta.
“Him and the staff, they have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches and that this is a really powerful one. He’s given us a lot, so big compliment to all of them.”
It certainly helps that Arteta has developed a physically monstrous squad. Big Gabi’s header was his 10th to find the net in the Premier League making him one of only four Arsenal players, including Olivier Giroud, Ian Wright and Emmanuel Adebayor, to score 10+ such goals.
The centre-back didn’t just lead from the front, he was also majestic at the back, marshalling a defence that held tight for a third clean sheet of the season.
“I think the way he has evolved, first of all as a person, and then on his role at the club, at the team has been phenomenal,” reflected Arteta.
“It’s been great to watch. This is why we are here. This is one of my passions to give players the environment, to give players the support, the education, the coaching, to grow and to prepare them for the life and to prepare them to get to levels that probably they didn’t think before.
“And Gabi is certainly one of the best examples of that. Why? Because he loves what you do. He applies himself incredibly well and he wants it. And when that happens, normally good things happen to this kind of people.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League. An opening game in the revamped competition takes place on Thursday against reigning Europa League champions Atalanta.
It was really a hard game having the best of our mid fielders injured. But finally we bagged the three points thanks to the team 👏👏
Looking forward to see Gabi and Saliba against Haaland, hopefully they can keep him in their pockets.
Again. In their pockets again.
Would bite your hand off for a draw. Two wins and a draw from City, Villa, Spurs away puts us in an incredible position for the title.
We need to beat them this time. For the points as well as to shut up the “lost the season for bottling it against Citeh” wankers.
Heather Mills – Word of warning. Never offer mjc a win.
Normally I say we need to beat them but I’ll take a draw this time too. I trust our defence with Rice back in but with Martin still injured probably, no one decent to replace him and 3 days after playing in Italy, will be immensely hard to score against them. 0-0 or a 1-1 with another set piece goal will be an immense result.
Of course late at night in my deepest dreams it’s 1-0 to the Arsenal yet again…
They’re of course always difficult to score against, but they HAVE conceded in each of their last three PL games. This can be done!
You’re right but at some point we will need to dethrone these cheats. Maybe this season is not the one but if we are to be champions, which is clearly what we’re aspiring to, we also need to show them up on the pitch.
Does anyone know if Atlanta are good?
They won the europa league last season, they are a very good side, we will have to be at our best to get the result we want.
They’ve never won the Super Bowl
So they are no World Champions?
*not
I see what you did there…… Falcons 😅
Thanks to the first of Kyle Shanahan’s choke jobs.
Yes, Donald Glover is great on that show but Lakeith Stanfield was my favourite
They are good. Gasperini has taken them from a perennial yoyo team to a perennial European competitor, and of course the holders of the Europa League. Their tactics are a bit wild, I’d say they are most similar to Tottenham stylistically. They press the bejesus out of you, match up man to man all over the pitch. They don’t let you have the ball. That also means they can look very open if someone messes up or if the opponent beats the press. In possession they are more interesting than Tottenham. Their base 3-4-3 is fluid, the middle two split… Read more »
Arsenal will probably use similar tactics as we did against Spurs. A compact block and playing over their press will be the best way to both secure a result AND save our legs for City. Their press is one of the best ways they have of creating chances. Take that away, use disciplined zonal marking, and they will find it hard to land a telling blow. All that said, I’m not too worried about this result. I’m most worried about how we will give our players enough rest to be at peak fitness for City, especially in midfield.
We have 2 outrageous cbs now.
Plus a few…..
Good fun but….
Next game Pls…
Four Arsenal players with ten or more headed goals. Which of these is different from the others: Giroud, Wright, Adebayor, Gabriel? Incredible for a defender to join that list. (If you said Adebayor is the only twat, you get half-credit.)
I would think Wrighty. He is a four foot two inches player…😃
I’m sure he’d love to have four feet to kick a ball with, but you giving him only two inches between the legs is a bit offensive
Few CBs in the history of the PL have been as aerially dominant in both boxes. It’s early days but I like the Vidic comp for him. Both imposing, physically dominant traditional CB types, penchant for big goals as well.
I ll take the half credit because Adebayor really is by far the one and only twat in that list. I always wonder why the snakey players end up commenting on Arsenal all through the years. I get that they ae asked questions but it is so easy not to make the news and dwell on things, but they always try to poke the fans. And well, it’s sad really because mostly they went off to be great, but never achieved that legendary status where they landed, just got used like the mercenaries they are. Meanwhile once a Gooner, you… Read more »
Arteta’s praise for Nicolas Jover (and other staff) reflects a willingness that not all managers (with vast egos) possess, to give credit to others for their team’s successes. Augurs well!