Of course, Arsenal Football Club has a well-deserved reputation as the kings of the corner-kick. Last season, they netted a staggering 31 goals from corners! That jaw-dropping stat translates to them netting just over one goal per every 16 shots taken. Now opposing squads are asking each other how to defend against their corner kicks. Arsenal’s tactics deliberately focus on penetrating the six-yard box. They use meticulous sets and the intimidation of their players’ stasis to manufacture close-range scores.
The attacking corner routine is started by the taker raising one arm above their head. More often than not, that’s either Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka on the verge of breaking big. Keeping teammates who are narrow on the run through this middle signal helps them start their runs without worry. It’s been their corner delivery that’s really stood out, with £105 million signing Rice consistently whipping in dangerous deliveries that force chaos in opposing defences.
Strategic Movements in the Box
Arsenal’s set piece tactics often involve a mass of players collected at the far post to best position themselves to take advantage of defensive errors. So, in that sense, Gabriel has really flourished in this environment. Even at his young age, it’s no surprise to see him lurking towards the bottom of the box. Weirdly, he has an uncanny knack for timing his runs from way out. In the past half-decade he has converted 17 set-piece goals. Guillén’s awareness of his own positioning enables him to zero in and attack the ball at pivotal moments.
The defensive tactics used against Arsenal from corner kicks have changed as teams have tried to find ways to stop their threats. A number of clubs recently have started using tactics where they leave two or three players up on the halfway line. This tactic requires Arsenal to keep more players home, thus limiting their overall attack during corners. The most egregious examples of this have been in matches against Palace and Brighton respectively, where this has been the tactic used.
As tactical analyst Orti Esteban told me, it was critical to break Arsenal’s rhythm in set piece scenarios.
“It’s all about breaking their timing and what they do – they are very good at that.” – Orti Esteban
The Role of Physicality
Though Arsenal are still working on their inventive area corner plays, teams have caught on that they must be physical defending against them. Opponents clog up the runs of Arsenal players and make it difficult for them to attack with fluidity. This approach significantly increases the defenders’ odds of winning. Esteban pointed out that knowing Arsenal’s delivery methods is the key to defending them properly.
“If you can stop that with physicality, stopping their runs, making it hard for them to move like they want to do, then you have a better chance of defending that situation.” – Orti Esteban
It was particularly tough in games against bigger clubs such as Manchester United. Not only did they fill the box with 8 players in the six-yard box to defend Arsenal corner kicks. Illustrating their quality and clinical mastery, Arsenal scored two goals from set pieces. They pulled off a 2-0 win in the face of a very solid defensive wall.
“The Man Utd game against Arsenal [where Arsenal scored twice from corners in a 2-0 win], United had eight players in the six-yard box to defend, and I think they could have conceded five.” – Oliver Glasner
Impact on Goalkeepers
It’s like juggling flaming swords Arsenal’s corner tactics exert a tremendous psychological stress on opposing goalkeepers. Examples of players such as William Saliba running into goalkeepers during corners. This tactic reduces the goalkeepers’ chance to collect crosses. VAR upheld Saliba’s tackle on Altay Bayindir, judging that it was “normal football contact.” This comes after Saliba forced a key error from a goalkeeper recently.
Ben White was essential to the conditions that made this dynamic possible. By pushing Guglielmo Vicario, he opened enough space for himself and his fellow attackers. This nuanced spatial interaction makes things difficult for goalkeepers, who are responsible for dealing with aerial threats and fouls they could be called for.
Riccardo Calafiori’s goal against Arsenal was a perfect example of how forcing goalkeepers into uncomfortable situations can further complicate a defensive lapse. Under pressure from Saliba, Bayindir fumbled a routine cross, giving Calafiori the easiest of finishes from close range.
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