Arsenal want to be the kings of everything, says boss Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal's Jurrien Timber scoring from a corner in the 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester United.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Arsenal have been labelled the “corner kings” thanks to their set-piece dominance, and manager Mikel Arteta said on Dec 6 that their goal is to extend that success to all the aspects of the game.
The Gunners have scored 22 goals from corners, the most in Europe’s top five leagues, since the start of the 2023-24 season. They continued their exploits in midweek when Jurrien Timber and William Saliba scored from corners to give them a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates.
“Arsenal are the new Stoke City – depending on set pieces to give them the win,” said former United forward Dimitar Berbatov in his post-match punditry.
Stoke excelled in set pieces during Tony Pulis’ tenure as manager – 43.1 per cent of their English Premier League goals between 2008 and 2013 came from non-penalty set pieces.
“I understood very well what Dimitar Berbatov said. We take it as a big compliment,” said Arteta, ahead of the league clash at Fulham on Dec 8.
“We want to be the kings of everything, on set pieces the best in the world, on high press the best in the world, attacking in open spaces the best in the world.
“Best atmosphere and stadium, the best at everything. Before it was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. Now we want to be the best at everything.”
He added that Arsenal, who are aiming to close their seven-point gap to league leaders Liverpool, are bracing themselves for a big challenge from Fulham.
“We experienced it last year (against Fulham). We lost five points against them. I was being very complimentary about them, about the coach and what they do. It’s always a really tough place to go,” Arteta said.
He was also happy for former Arsenal players Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and the on-loan Reiss Nelson, who are at Fulham.
“They are doing very well. Nelson is still one of our own, but the rest as well,” he said.
“It will be great to see them. Once they leave, you have to leave them to do their own thing. Once in a while we speak to them, but very grateful for what they did for us and wish them the best.”
The Gunners boss remained tight-lipped about the availability of defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori. The pair missed the United game through injury.
“We will see how everybody is for Sunday,” the Spaniard said. “Saturday is the next training session. It’s too difficult to say something (on Gabriel). (Calafiori) the same, it’s difficult to say.” AFP, REUTERS
