Arsenal leads the Premier League this season with the most set-piece goals, while Tottenham Hotspur holds the record for conceding the fewest set-piece goals.
Get ready for the “set-piece derby” this Sunday at the Emirates during the north London rivalry. Will we hear “set-piece again, ole, ole!” from the home crowd or the away fans?
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This season, Arsenal has netted the highest number of goals from corners (8), with Spurs close behind at second place (6). Both teams also excel in headed goals, scoring seven and six respectively. Arsenal tops the league with 75 corner attempts, while Spurs have tried 67.
As we approach this highly anticipated north London derby, the significance of set pieces cannot be overstated, as both Mikel Arteta and Thomas Frank rely on them to pursue their ambitions of winning trophies and securing a top-four finish.
This pivotal derby is likely to come down to fine margins, which is precisely how both Arteta and Frank prefer it. The Spiderman meme perfectly captures the scenario.
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Arsenal’s Set-Piece Supremacy Won’t Deter Frank
Set pieces have gained crucial importance for Arsenal in recent seasons, establishing them as the top team in the Premier League for creating and scoring from corners, long throws, and free kicks. They boast an impressive 50 percent of their goals coming from set pieces this season, and four of their last six goals against Spurs have been from corners. Even with their primary threat from set pieces, Gabriel, sidelined for Sunday’s match, Arsenal’s players are prepared to exploit these opportunities.
If there’s a manager who won’t be fazed by Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, it’s Frank. Having revitalized set pieces during his successful tenure at Brentford, he recognizes Arteta and Arsenal’s efforts to elevate their importance. Coaches like Arsenal’s Nicolas Jover have gained significant recognition within the football community, and it’s only a matter of time before set-piece specialists are represented in their own technical areas during matches.
Although Frank’s early months at Spurs haven’t seen his team score as many set-piece goals as desired (they currently rank fifth in the league), they excel defensively, having conceded only twice from set pieces. This marks substantial progress from last season, and reflects the pragmatic approach that led to his hiring.
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Frank has a keen eye for marginal improvements, particularly in set pieces, a focus that proved essential during his time at Brentford. By honing in on these situations, he helped to narrow the significant financial gap that restricted their progress, earning respect from the rest of the Premier League.
Can Away-Day Specialists Spurs Find Hope?
Despite their poor record in this fixture, there’s optimism for Spurs. Arsenal has claimed victory in five of their last six league encounters, and Spurs have won just once in their last 32 Premier League away games at Arsenal. However, Spurs currently shine as the league’s away-day specialists.
This season, they boast the best away record in the Premier League, earning 13 points out of a possible 15, with the most away goals (12) and the fewest conceded (3).
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History has taught Spurs fans to be cautious against Arsenal, not just because they are the fiercest rivals but also because Spurs have dropped more points (48) from winning positions against Arsenal than any team in Premier League history has against a single opponent.
Regardless of how many times the lead shifts or the final result on Sunday, it’s a safe bet that a set-piece goal will play a crucial role in this edition of the north London derby.