The Athletic FC Podcast cover image

The Athletic FC Podcast

How Arsenal mastered set-pieces

Oct 3, 2024
Phil Hay, The Athletic FC's newsletter lead writer, joins tactics expert Liam Tharme and former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha to discuss Arsenal's remarkable set-piece success. They explore how Mikel Arteta's team has turned set-pieces into a scoring machine, thanks in part to players like Gabriel. The trio delves into the evolution of set-piece strategies, comparing Arsenal's methods to other teams, and emphasizes the importance of specialized coaches and tactical adaptability. Get insights into how these elements have redefined modern football!
47:15

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Arsenal's remarkable success from set pieces highlights the critical impact of tactical strategies and player synergy in modern football.
  • The growing trend of specialized set piece coaches reflects the increasing acknowledgment of their influence on scoring opportunities and match outcomes.

Deep dives

The Importance of Set Pieces in Modern Football

Set pieces have become a critical aspect of modern football strategy, affecting both attacking and defensive play. Historically viewed as a fallback for teams lacking in open play skill, their importance has evolved, with many clubs now employing dedicated set piece coaches to optimize these situations. This shift highlights how attacking set pieces can significantly contribute to a team's goal tally, with recent analyses suggesting that a large portion of goals, particularly in competitive leagues like the Premier League, are derived from dead ball scenarios. Consequently, teams that fail to capitalize on set pieces may miss crucial scoring opportunities or struggle to defend against them effectively.

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