Corners and free-kicks have provided a consistent source of goals for Arsenal this season, but their methods have also led to criticism from their Premier League rivals
An athlete in a red and white jersey with the words "Emirates Fly Better" printed on it is running on the field.
Declan Rice isn't concerned by the criticism(Image: Getty Images)
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Declan Rice has suggested that those who criticise Arsenal over their prolific goalscoring from set pieces are just jealous because they can't match the Gunners. Arsenal have scored 19 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, five more than any other side, but their methods have drawn criticism.
Their impressive record from dead-ball situations is down to the quality delivery of Rice, Bukayo Saka and others and the aerial prowess of Gabriel Magalhaes. But it also owes much to their movement and blocking schemes, which are drawn up by set piece coach Nicolas Jover.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke out in frustration over the tactic ahead of their match against Arsenal last week, lamenting that "there's no clear rule" on blocking. He also suggested that the dominance of set pieces in the Premier League right now was denying fans entertainment.
Hurzeler isn't the first to take a pop at the league leaders and Rice points out that it is harder than it looks. “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 routines often see the attackers start beyond the back post and then filter in towards the six-yard box as the taker steps up. Non-penalty set pieces have provided 32.2 per cent of their Premier League goals this season and it is a source 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.
Gabriel of Arsenal is held by Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United for an oncoming corner
Arsenal have had great success from corners this season(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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“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 challenged his players to become even better at set pieces, saying he wants them "to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game".
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