Arsenal
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Arsenal’s renowned set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been working with the Saudi Arabian national team during the September international break and is expected to continue his involvement in next month’s decisive World Cup qualifiers, according to reports from Saudi outlets KSA Sport and Riyadiya TV.
The French coach, widely credited with transforming Arsenal into the Premier League’s most dangerous side from dead-ball situations, joined Roberto Mancini’s squad during their training camp in the Czech Republic. He is tipped to return in October as Saudi Arabia face key fourth-round fixtures against Indonesia on October 8 and Iraq on October 11, which could secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia finished third in Group C of the AFC’s third qualifying round, behind Japan and Australia, leaving them with work to do in the mini-league stage. With set-pieces often proving decisive in tight games, Mancini has turned to Jover’s expertise to gain a vital edge.
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Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in 2021, Jover has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Gunners’ set-piece threat. Under his guidance, the North London club have scored 70 goals from dead-ball situations across four seasons, including a league-high 22 in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
Nicolas Jover
Nicolas Jover (Image credit: Getty Images)
His routines have been hailed by manager Mikel Arteta and pundits such as Gary Neville, with players like Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice flourishing under his detailed work.
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Jover’s reputation has steadily grown since his early career as a video analyst at Montpellier, later moving on to Brentford, Manchester City, and now Arsenal. His involvement in Manchester City’s 2020/21 title-winning season and a brief stint with the Croatian national team in 2013 further strengthened his credentials.
Arteta, who first worked with Jover at City before bringing him to Arsenal, has previously called him “the best in his field,” praising his ability to instill belief in players and deliver game-changing moments.
Saudi fans will now hope his methods can translate onto the international stage, as the Green Falcons bid to reach back-to-back World Cups.
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