The secrets of Arsenal's set-piece success: How Nicolas Jover change the game

It was that ‘little nuisance’, as ascribed by Gary Neville, who again jumped and jumped on the touchline in glee. Nicolas Jover had helped architect another significant Arsenal victory in the title race via their trusted weapon — set-pieces.

The pathway to three points in a tense north London derby against rivals Tottenham was unlocked on 15 minutes, Bukayo Saka’s corner-kick swung into the near post area with Takehiro Tomiyasu ready to head it goalward.

The expectation for the cross to land in the mix caused Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to panic. He headed the ball into his own net.

The cameras subsequently panned to the technical area and it was Arsenal’s set-piece mastermind Jover who landed in the arms of Mikel Arteta.

Neville quipped on commentary: ‘There he is again. The set-piece guru. He's a little nuisance that set-piece coach, but he's damn good.’

He is proving damn good, and his array of set-piece tricks and ploys are certainly working. In the Premier League this season, Arsenal have scored the most set-piece goals excluding penalties (22), the most goals via corners (16) and conceded the second-fewest number of set-pieces excluding penalties (six).

It’s the latter statistic which is just as crucial as the scoring itself. As Spurs rained down crosses and corner-kicks into the box in those frantic final 10 minutes, the 42-year-old was crouched, orchestrating the Gunners’ defensive strategy while Arteta was out of view. Scoring is good, but not without defensively solidity at the other end.

It has not gone unnoticed throughout the campaign that when Arsenal have a set-piece, the ever-active Arteta takes a step back in the technical area and Jover takes his space, issuing instructions.

The relationship between the pair goes