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There's still plenty of work to be done at the Sobha Realty Training Centre as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam
Arsenal could surrender their advantage at the top of the Premier League if Mikel Arteta fails to notice one of the very few problems with his setup. The Gunners have led the title race for much of the season, but they've shown signs of weakness that, if exploited, could cost them a piece of silverware.
The north Londoners have earned 11 of their 15 wins in the English top flight when their first goal was scored from either a set-piece or the second phase following a set-piece. While Arsenal have prided themselves on being dead-ball specialists, which mustn't be discredited, an overreliance on such a source of goals could become an issue later in the campaign.
In fact, the Gunners have only won two Premier League games this season when they haven't scored from a set-piece or the second phase following one: Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
Interestingly, in each of the seven games that Arteta's side has failed to win this term, drawing five and losing two, they've not had any success from a dead-ball scenario or the second phase following one: the goalless draw to Nottingham Forest, the defeat to Aston Villa, the draw to Chelsea, the draw to Sunderland, the draw to Manchester City, as well as the goalless draw at home and the away defeat to Liverpool.
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It must be said, however, that when the Gunners dropped points at the Stadium of Light, each of the two goals they scored were from open play. And, ironically, the Black Cats' opener stemmed from a set-piece.
If Arsenal continue to drop points, then they could very well surrender their seven-point lead in the title race. Fortunately for Arteta so far, Manchester City and Aston Villa have failed to capitalise on the Gunners' back-to-back draws.
Speaking to reporters in December 2024, following a 2-0 win over Manchester United, Arteta commented on his side's proficiency from set-pieces. The Spaniard said: "We want to be the kings of everything.
"At set pieces - the best in the world. At the high press - the best in the world. Attacking open spaces - the best in the world. We want the best atmosphere in the stadium, and be the best at everything.
"Before, it was about we didn’t score enough, we were so defensive in our mentality, we were not physical enough and could not challenge the top teams and going 22, 17, 20 years without winning away from home in big matches.
"Now we want to be the best at everything, we want to have the best academy, the best individual development for players, recruit the best players and have the best coaches. That’s the aim.
"Success at the end of the day is we win what we want to win. If that allows you to win a game, great, and another game, great, but it’s a lot of elements."
Arteta certainly stayed true to his word, and he's determined to retain the set-piece crown. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia following Arsenal's 3-1 away win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, the Spaniard commented on the importance of dead-ball scenarios.
"Inter are a great team with fantastic moves that are very difficult to defend against, they know how to attack those lines, and at times we were really dominated, so that makes the result even more special," said Arteta, as quoted by Football Italia.
Gabriel Jesus put Gunners 2-1 up on the half-hour mark following a well-worked corner routine. The Arsenal boss added: "We try to spend the time we have in training, what little there is, to give us the margin for victory, and that includes set pieces."
"We’ve got a lot of players who can do well in these situations, and we try to make the most of those characteristics."
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