Arsenal address shock new weakness in Dubai to reboot title charge
Following three consecutive losses, Arsenal had a lot to address during their warm-weather training retreat in Dubai.
The two-week winter break provided Mikel Arteta‘s team with a crucial opportunity to rejuvenate, and they came back on Tuesday night after spending eight beneficial days in the Middle East.
The hiatus in the schedule has afforded Arsenal the opportunity to address some of the issues that have derailed their season, with set-pieces emerging as a crucial area that requires improvement.
In the Premier League this season, Arsenal has scored 11 goals from attacking set-pieces, tying with Everton for the highest tally. Initially, they conceded only one goal from corners in their first 14 Premier League games, but in the subsequent six matches, they have let in four.
Fatigue has played a role in this decline, exemplified by Konstantinos Mavropanos losing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who scored a header during Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to West Ham. Additionally, Arsenal conceded a scrappy goal from a corner in their 2-1 defeat against Fulham.
Mikel Arteta is aware that his team needs to halt this trend to revive their title aspirations, starting with the upcoming match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Taking advantage of the sunnier climate during their training sessions in Dubai, Arsenal focused on refining both their attacking and defensive set-piece strategies.
Conducting sessions on corners and free-kicks is Nicolas Jover, the set-piece coach who played a significant role in establishing Arsenal as one of the Premier League’s top teams in this aspect before their recent decline. Nicolas Jover has been instrumental since joining Arsenal in 2021.
Mikel Arteta, having previously worked with Jover during their time at Manchester City, eagerly seized the opportunity to reunite with the German-born Frenchman.
Jover, who has also contributed his expertise at Montpellier and Brentford, has proven to be a valuable asset in enhancing Arsenal’s set-piece proficiency.
The duo, Mikel Arteta and Nicolas Jover, exhibit numerous shared traits, particularly a tireless work ethic and an intense focus on meticulous details. Jover, known for his preference for concise sessions lasting ideally between 10 to 15 minutes, ensures that he captures the players’ undivided attention.
Jover’s instructions are straightforward and clear, and Arsenal has even gone as far as setting up a large screen at the training pitch’s side to showcase instructional clips.
The approach to set-pieces is methodical, resembling the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle throughout the week leading up to games.
It starts with the takers practicing the desired delivery, followed by the inclusion of attackers, and ultimately involving defenders in the process.
“It was building a piece of the jigsaw before moving onto the next piece,” says Luton set-piece coach Alan McCormack, who played under Jover at Brentford. “Finally, you had this finished jigsaw come Saturday.”
Effective communication is at the core of Jover’s methods. He frequently engages with players during breakfast or provides them with notes on the way to a session, making the most of every available moment.
While Jover dedicates time to refining the delivery of set-pieces, a pivotal aspect of his work involves instructing players to anticipate the second ball. Arsenal has reaped the rewards of this emphasis, exemplified by instances such as Gabriel Jesus heading in at the back post against Brighton after a defender had cleared the ball in his direction.
In that particular game, there was a clear demonstration of Jover’s implementation of “confusion tactics.” Ben White appeared to be uncertain about finding a pass from a free-kick, and Martin Odegaard approached for a conversation, only to swiftly turn and play the ball to a teammate.
While Jover has expressed his aspiration for football to possess “a recognisable style of set-pieces, just like a playing style,” a key element of his approach is the ability to adapt to opponents. In this regard, he benefits from substantial support provided by a large team of analysts who furnish him with crucial information during matches.
Montpellier sporting co-ordinator Philippe Delaye says: “When he speaks about his work, everybody follows him. The players liked speaking with him, because in only a few words they understood what he wanted.”
Arteta will be optimistic that Jover’s message has resonated with the Arsenal players, who, having had a break, should be revitalized as they aim to revive their season.
Despite a recent downturn, the Gunners still have significant objectives for the season. They are merely five points behind the league leaders, Liverpool, and have a favorable Champions League last-16 matchup against Porto.
Facing Crystal Palace could prove beneficial for rebuilding their set-piece strategies. The Eagles have scored just one goal from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, the lowest tally among all teams.
The extent to which Arsenal can regain their efficiency from set-pieces may play a pivotal role in determining their proximity to the title.
Arsenal address shock new weakness in Dubai to reboot title charge