Arsenal's Set Piece Mastery: A Key Factor in Beating Manchester United

Arsenal's recent 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on December 4, 2024, underscored the strategic importance of set pieces in modern football. The match, which saw Arsenal close the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to seven points, was a testament to the Gunners' exceptional skill in converting set pieces into goals. This article delves into the pivotal role of corner kicks in Arsenal's win and explores how these strategic plays have become a cornerstone of their game plan.

The Power of Set Pieces

Arsenal's reliance on set pieces was evident throughout the match. Despite a subdued first half, the Gunners continued to threaten from corners, with Thomas Partey's header from a Declan Rice corner being a notable miss. However, it was the second half that saw Arsenal's set-piece strategy come to fruition.

First Goal: Jurrien Timber's Header

The first goal came in the 54th minute from a Declan Rice corner. Jurrien Timber managed to sneak between Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund to get a faint touch onto the cross, which was enough to guide the ball into the net[1][2][4]. This goal marked a significant shift in momentum, as Arsenal's lead became increasingly difficult for Manchester United to overcome.

Second Goal: William Saliba's Deflection

The second goal came from another set piece. Bukayo Saka delivered a corner that struck William Saliba, causing the ball to cannon in off him and double the lead for Arsenal[1][2][4]. This goal highlighted the chaos that Arsenal's corners can cause in the opposition's box, with the Red Devils struggling to defend effectively.

Key Moments and Statistics

• Early Threats: Despite the lack of goalmouth action in the first half, Arsenal continued to threaten from set pieces. Thomas Partey’s header from a Declan Rice corner was a notable miss, but it highlighted the Gunners' reliance on these plays[1][2][4].
• Defensive Challenges: Manchester United faced significant pressure from Arsenal’s corners. The Red Devils struggled to defend effectively, with Joshua Zirkzee almost scoring an own goal from one of these set pieces[2][4].
• Set Piece Statistics: Arsenal has now scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season, showcasing their consistent ability to convert these opportunities into goals[4].

Impact on the Match and League Standings

The two set-piece goals marked a significant shift in momentum, as Arsenal’s lead became increasingly difficult for Manchester United to overcome. The win puts Arsenal third in the Premier League table, with a seven-point gap to leaders Liverpool[1][2][4].

Expert Insights

Declan Rice, who delivered the corner for the first goal, emphasized the importance of repetition and planning in Arsenal's set-piece strategy. "When you go up for a corner it's a chance to score. To score both of them from corners, (set-piece coach) Nico (Jover) will be buzzing and I'm so happy," he said. "It's more just seeing clips, I know the weight I need to put on the ball, and it's just about repetition. I put a few good balls in and could've had a couple of assists so it was nice to get one"[3].

Conclusion

Arsenal’s victory over Manchester United was largely influenced by their mastery of set pieces, particularly corner kicks. This strategic approach has been a key factor in their recent success and highlights the importance of these plays in modern football. As Arsenal continues to push for top spots in the Premier League, their ability to convert set pieces into goals will remain a crucial aspect of their game plan.

Key Pieces of Information:

1. Goals: Jurrien Timber (54th minute) and William Saliba (73rd minute) scored from corner kicks.
2. Set Piece Statistics: Arsenal has scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season.
3. Match Details: The match was played on December 4, 2024, at the Emirates Stadium.
4. Team Performance: Arsenal’s set piece strategy was instrumental in their 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
5. Impact on League Standings: The win puts Arsenal third in the Premier League table, with a seven-point gap to leaders Liverpool[1][2][4].

References:

1. 90Min.com - Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd: Match report and talking points
2. OneFootball - Set Piece FC Strikes Again: Takeaways From Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
3. SportingNews - Declan Rice offers key set piece insight as Arsenal ease past Man United
4. ESPN - Arsenal 2-0 Man United (4 Dec, 2024) Game Analysis
5. Sky Sports - Arsenal 2 - 0 Man Utd - Match Report & Highlights

Additional Information:

For more on Arsenal's set-piece strategy and their Premier League campaign, visit the official Premier League website or follow Arsenal FC for the latest updates.