Arsenal are known for their set piece prowess.Arsenal are known for their set piece prowess.
Arsenal are known for their set piece prowess. | Getty Images
Jamie Redknapp and Gael Clichy led criticism of Arsenal tactics when defending corners in the 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
The Cherries, who are pushing for a European place, left London with all three points thanks to goals from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson. Both of those goals, which cancelled out a Declan Rice opener, came from set plays.
Analysing that match after full time, Jamie Redknapp and Arsenal legend Gael Clichy heaped criticism on the organisation of Arsenal when defending set pieces. The Gunners have earned a reputation for being deadly when attacking from dead ball situations, but Redknapp hinted that such a distinction may have hidden one of the side’s biggest flaws.
Arsenal ‘flaw’ emerges against AFC Bournemouth
Starting the analysis, former defender Clichy told Sky Sports: “It’s weird to concede two set pieces from them. It’s a lack of energy, or enthusiasm around the stadium I feel. It’s going to be a very challenging and hard end of the season for them.”
“In some angles, it seems like it’s touching his [Evanilson] arm but we can’t see it. What we can say, is the way Odegaard is defending is very odd. I can see he’s trying to make contact so there’s no run from the player but that’s not the way to defend. I’d be more concerned with how they defend both set pieces rather than this situation.”
Redknapp went into more detail shortly afterwards as he played back the goals in slow motion live on television. He said: “There’s been a couple. It’s a recurring feel. When you look at their set pieces, 48% of their goals have been conceded from set pieces. We all talk about Arsenal as being magnificent on offensive set pieces, the detail they get into, they need to work harder on this.
“There are certain things that could have stopped you winning the title and this is one of them. The set-piece coach gets a lot of plaudits for the work he does when he scores goals, I don’t know his impact on the defensive ones, but I can only imagine he does the same thing with them but they are definitely not good enough.
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“In fairness, they miss Gabriel. He’s a massive player when he plays in terms of set pieces because he’s a leader and heads it. They didn’t deal with either set piece that cost them the match today very well.”
Clichy then chimed in: “Even on the goal, you can see the first run on the first post, the aggression to get that ball and the first phase with Odegaard... like Jamie says, you need to work on this. You need to make sure that you’re on it because you’re on it to score but you need to be on it when it’s your turn to defend as well.”
Arsenal now look to bounce back from defeat to AFC Bournemouth in time to overturn a 1-0 deficit against PSG at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. Arteta’s side are now without a win in their last three matches, since thrashing Ipswich Town 4-0.
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