Monaco might have found the antidote to Arsenal's corner dominance as their new tactic was successful in stopping Gunners’ set-piece hot streak.
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Arsenal are a potent threat from dead-ball situationsSet-piece coach Nicholas Jover has been the mastermindBut Monaco effectively neutralised the set-piece threatFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal have been unrivalled in their set-piece efficiency, netting 22 goals from corners – the highest tally in the Premier League. This success can be attributed to the expertise of Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s set-piece coach, whose methods have revolutionised their approach. In recognition of his contributions, Jover was honoured with a mural outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of Wednesday's match.
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Despite Arsenal’s dominant 3-0 victory against Monaco, their ability to capitalise on corners was conspicuously absent, a rarity for the Gunners. This unusual outcome can largely be credited to Monaco's tactical ingenuity.
Under the leadership of Adi Hutter, Monaco deployed a counter-intuitive yet effective defensive strategy. Instead of pulling all their players back to defend Arsenal's corners, Monaco kept three attackers high up the pitch. This forced Arsenal to leave additional players back to guard against a potential counterattack, significantly reducing the number of players they could commit to the penalty area.
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Monaco also stationed a player to thwart Arsenal’s short-corner routines, ensuring fewer Gunners were present in the box. A key element of Arsenal’s usual corner setup involves positioning a player near the goal line to distract the goalkeeper, but this tactic was compromised as they had to prioritise defensive coverage. This innovative approach not only limited Arsenal’s usual pressure on Monaco goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki but also disrupted their rhythm at set-pieces.
Gabriel Magalhaes, who has been Arsenal’s standout performer in set-piece situations with four goals this season, was notably absent due to injury. His absence might have contributed to Arsenal’s reduced threat from corners, but Monaco’s strategy deserves credit for nullifying the Gunners’ typical set-piece advantage.
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Monaco’s successful implementation of this strategy raises the question of whether Premier League teams might adopt similar tactics to counter Arsenal. The effectiveness of leaving attackers high up the pitch could inspire clubs to rethink their defensive approach to Arsenal’s set-pieces. They are set to host Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League and it remains to be seen if Sean Dyche takes a leaf out of Monaco's book to halt Arsenal's set-piece supremacy.