Gary Neville questions Mikel Arteta over brand new Arsenal move that started four games ago
Gary Neville has spoken about Mikel Arteta’s decision to designate Declan Rice as Arsenal’s new set piece taker. The Gunners have used set pieces to great effect in their bid to win the Premier League title.
Arsenal have scored 16 league goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, which is three more than the next-best side. There have been questions about the team’s need for a new striker and their ruthlessness in front of goal but it is clear that the Gunners have added another dimension to their game with the help of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
In a recent change, Rice has been charged with taking corners and free-kicks. The switch was noticed by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville who was intrigued by the decision
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“I was doing the [Manchester] United vs [Aston] Villa game on Sunday but first, I was watching the Arsenal vs West Ham game and obviously Declan Rice is on set pieces,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast, sponsored by Sky Bet. “ I said to one of the stats guys, ‘When did he start taking set pieces’ and he said, ‘Four games ago’. I think they scored corner against Crystal Palace four games ago, where he started taking them.
“It was Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli before then but they [Arsenal] scored two on Sunday from set pieces and I was interested in the idea behind [why]. You see a six foot two/three player on set pieces and think that you wouldn’t ordinarily think that would happen. So why has he gone on to set pieces? What’s happened before, what’s the data now?”
“I’m not against Rice taking corners. Wayne Rooney
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