Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal should be given more credit for its set-piece prowess with the Gunners scoring from a corner once again earlier today against Fulham.
In the Premier League this year, Mikel Arteta's team ranks just 13th for open play expected goals. But it has scored 23 from set-pieces since the start of last season — nine more than Liverpool in the same period and a higher number than anyone else in Europe's top five leagues.
"They've got criticism and people joke in some ways about how they have a lot of goals from set-pieces," Carragher said in the Sky Sports studio. "But it is absolutely amazing what they have done and credit to them.
"Everyone is trying to look for secrets but I've never seen delivery like it from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. They never miss the spot that they are supposed to get."
Arsenal won 2-0 against Manchester United midweek, scoring both goals from corners. And that is what prompted Carragher to take a closer look at the situation.
"It's not so much what Arsenal are doing but what you have got to try and do to stop it," he explained. "When you look at what happened midweek, I thought Manchester United were embarrassing.
Mikel Arteta shows dejection after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on December 08, 2024 (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
"You have to be physical and aggressive and we know they have the numbers at the back post. But just look how easy it is for the Arsenal players to get where they want.
"First of all, look at the space between the Manchester United players and the Arsenal players. They are not close enough and there is no point to them being there. They just run through, get a goal, and that was awful [from Manchester United]."
Liverpool.com says: Being good at set-pieces is great but the team that wins the Premier League title usually scores the most goals overall. The chances of it being the Gunners are slim given the lack of goalscorers there are among the Arsenal roster. Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland are guarantees of 30-plus in all competitions but Arteta doesn't have anyone like that.