Declan Rice has claimed that those who criticise Arsenal over their prolific goalscoring from set-pieces are simply jealous because they cannot copy the Gunners' success. Arsenal have netted 19 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, five more than any other side, but their tactics have attracted criticism. Their remarkable record from dead-ball situations stems from the quality delivery of Rice, Bukayo Saka and others and the aerial prowess of Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, it also relies heavily on their movement and blocking schemes, which are devised by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler voiced his frustration over the tactic ahead of their match against Arsenal last week, bemoaning that "there's no clear rule" to stop blocking. He also implied that the dominance of set pieces in the Premier League right now was depriving fans of entertainment.
Hurzeler isn't the first to criticise the league leaders and Rice says that it is more difficult than it appears. "It comes from us, the way we set up and then everyone talks about it and then everyone does it – so it's confusing!" Rice told The i.
"But they're not doing it to the level that we do it. You can see that when you're seeing teams take corners. We can still get better and that's the good thing about it."
Arsenal's set-piece routines typically involve the attackers positioning themselves beyond the far post before moving towards the six-yard area as the delivery is taken. Non-penalty set pieces have contributed 32.2 per cent of their Premier League goals this campaign and it is a matter of pride for Rice.
"We've got something we're really good at – so much goes into it, it's not just we whip in a corner and someone heads it in," he added.
"Execution, the timing, what we plan has to be bang on the money for us to score a goal – and we've done that many times this season. So credit to all of us because they're long meetings going through set pieces, doing it on the pitch, repetition.
"Every team changes the way they play and the way they defend against us, so it's on us to find ways to score and we've been doing that."
Mikel Arteta has urged his players to improve even further at set pieces, stating he wants them "to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game".