Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has welcomed comparisons between his side and the physical, set-piece-dominant style of former Premier League side Stoke City.
The comparisons arose following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday – a match in which defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners.
Arsenal’s tally of 22 goals from corners since the start of last season is the most of any Premier League team, demonstrating the significant impact that set-piece specialist coach Nicolas Jover has had.
Arteta Wants Arsenal to be “The Kings of Everything”
Arteta brushed off criticisms and instead embraced the praise for Arsenal’s dominance in set-pieces.
“We want to be the kings of everything,” he declared. “On set pieces, the best in the world, on high press the best in the world, attacking in open spaces, the best in the world.
“Before, it was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best at everything.”
"We want to be the kings of everything" 👑
Mikel Arteta on Calafiori injury and reveals Arsenal's ambition to be the best at everything! pic.twitter.com/XGIGjBrvtc
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 6, 2024
Arteta’s statement underlines the club’s ambition to excel across all aspects of the game, not merely focusing on the flair and fluidity Arsenal has traditionally been known for, but also the grit and physicality often associated with successful sides.
Arteta Views Stoke City Comparisons as a “Compliment”
When asked about former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov comparing Arsenal’s set-piece prowess to that of Stoke City, Arteta was quick to acknowledge the parallels in a positive light.
“I understood very well what Dimitar Berbatov said, and I take it in the best possible way,” Arteta said. “We take it as a big compliment because Stoke were so good at it.”
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal being compared to Stoke City:
"We'll take it as a HUGE compliment!"🤣
🔗https://t.co/S7FQsxmtZT pic.twitter.com/EtXlLFDHpz
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) December 6, 2024
Stoke, under Tony Pulis, earned a reputation for their physical approach and aerial dominance during their Premier League stint, famously leveraging Rory Delap’s long throw-ins to devastating effect.
The Jover Effect
Since Nicolas Jover’s arrival as Arsenal’s set-piece coach, the Gunners have transformed their dead-ball strategy into a lethal weapon. Despite this success, Arteta maintains there’s room for improvement.
“Last year we scored the most set-piece goals in the club’s history, but we want more,” he said. “We can still improve a lot in that sense.
“Whatever we do is not good enough. We want more margin, we can do things better with the defence and the environment.”
Some scenes when Nicolas Jover wins the PFA Player of the Year award.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 4, 2024
Arteta also downplayed the notion that Arsenal’s approach was revolutionary, insisting that many teams have excelled in set-pieces throughout history, though the Gunners are committed to raising their standards even further.
Arsenal’s dominance in set-pieces hasn’t gone unnoticed by rivals. Gary Neville recently referred to Jover as “the most annoying bloke in football,” reflecting the growing frustration among opposing teams who struggle to neutralise Arsenal’s corner routines.
Ridiculously unprofessional of him to say this lol.
Jover literally hasn’t said a word about anything to a single media outlet, all he does is coach the teams set pieces https://t.co/rsOqDl9mpO
— Bowdz. (@Bowdz_) December 6, 2024
Wednesday’s win also marked the first time in over a decade that Manchester United conceded two goals from corners in a single match.
