Arteta Frustrated with Arsenal's Set Pieces

Despite leading the Premier League with 21 goals from set-pieces this season, manager Mikel Arteta remains publicly dissatisfied. In fact, after a recent 2-1 victory over Chelsea, where both goals came from corners, Arteta stated he was "upset we haven't scored more." This high standard is driven by the significant impact of their set-piece specialist, Nicolas Jover, who was brought to the club from Manchester City in 2021. Jover's contract reportedly includes a bonus for every goal scored from a dead-ball situation, a testament to his value in the team's strategy. Under Jover's guidance, Arsenal has become a dominant force on set plays. This season, they have already scored 16 goals from corners, matching the Premier League's single-season record with nine games still to play. The Gunners' reliance on these situations is notable; in 11 of their 15 league victories this term, the opening goal has come from a set-piece. Furthermore, of the 20 times they have taken a 1-0 lead, 13 have been the result of a set-piece or penalty. This proficiency has led to some critics labeling the team "Set-Piece FC." However, the statistics show that four other Premier League teams have a higher ratio of set-piece goals to their total goals. Arteta's frustration likely stems from a desire for his team to be dominant in all facets of the game. While their set-piece execution is a clear strength, the manager is pushing for even greater clinicality and recognizes that converting more of these chances will be crucial in their title challenge.