Monaco used clever tactic no Premier League club has tried to stop Arsenal scoring from corners and it worked
Updated 09:29 12 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 09:30 12 Dec 2024 GMT
Monaco lost 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium - though there was one part of their gameplan that was a success.
Monaco used a clever tactic that no Premier League side has tried against Arsenal's set pieces - and they had some success.
The principality side lost 3-0 to the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, following a brace from Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz's late goal.
The result means Monaco missed the chance to get into an automatic qualification spot for the last 16, and drop down to 16th.
But while the manner of the result will be disappointing for the Ligue 1 side, all three of Arsenal's goals came from open play rather than corners - indicating that at least one part of the gameplan was a success.
The Gunners have scored a number of goals directly from corners this season, leading fans and even pundits to dub them 'the new Stoke' - a homage to the Rory Delap-inspired Potters sides of the late 2000s.
It was noticed, however, that Monaco left three players up from each corner, forcing Arsenal to move players back to cover the threat of a counter attack.
That naturally made taking threatening set pieces much harder, but the Gunners were still able to score three times and win their fourth Champions League match in six this season - despite missing several clear-cut chances in the first half.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: "Well, very happy with the win, with a clean sheet, with the fact that we had to change a few players, players that haven't played much. They still performed really well and put is in a good position in the group.
"We should have obviously scored four or five in the first half. This wasn't the case, and this is the Champions League. The level of opposition is really high.
"We scored the second goal, after the game was in our control. I think the subs helped us as well in the right moments, so overall very positive."
Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports / Getty
Topics: AS Monaco, Arsenal, Champions League