Mikel Arteta was once controlling the Everton midfield, and he’s now spoken out as Arsenal manager about something important he learnt at Goodison Park.
Everton had the pleasure of having Mikel Arteta play at Goodison Park on an initial loan, before joining permanently in the summer of 2005.
He featured 209 times for the Toffees, which is the most of any club in his career. During this time, he scored 35 goals and assisted 36 times.
The Spaniard was on Merseyside for over six years before joining the side he currently manages, Arsenal.
Arteta’s time at Everton was a topic in his press conference on Friday afternoon, as he recalled something he learnt at Goodison Park that he’s used to good effect at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta of Everton celebrates after scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton an...
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Mikel Arteta reveals what he was taught about set-pieces during his time at Everton
Everton’s set-piece qualities were on display against Wolverhampton Wanderers midweek, as every one of their four goals resulted from some sort of set-piece.
Orel Mangala capitalised on a loose ball from a set-piece, Craig Dawson scored two own goals and Ashley Young found the back of the net direct from a free-kick.
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Arsenal have been equally as impressive, scoring a total of 22 goals from corners since the start of last season.
Mikel Arteta has focused a lot on this, which led him to speak out about where he learned the importance of set pieces in his Arsenal press conference.
He was asked about when he started valuing set-pieces, to which he replied this.
“Probably when I was a player because I was at Everton and I understood how important they were, how difficult it was for the opposition as well. When I came here, we had a period in some big matches as well we suffered, then we were out.
“Then I went to [Manchester] City and I immediately realised that we have to do something about it and I continue to do that.”
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Set-pieces have transformed Arsenal in recent years
Arsenal hired set-piece coach Nicolas Jover back in 2021 and things have been on an upward trajectory since then. Mikel Arteta identified the need for set-pieces to improve and it’s worked wonders.
The Gunners have even been described as being similar to Tony Pulis’ iconic Stoke City, who were the kings of set-pieces back in the day.
Everton have some tall figures in the shape of James Tarkowski, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite, who cause all sorts of problems.
However, it’s Dwight McNeil’s delivery that makes Everton so effective.
Arne Slot even stated he’s wary of Everton from set-pieces.
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