Arsenal have yet to score a non-penalty set-piece goal this season
Arsenal scored 25 non-penalty set-piece goals last season but are struggling this term.
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Last season, Arsenal scored a remarkable 25 non-penalty set-piece goals, leading the Premier League. This impressive tally included a record 19 goals from corners, marking their fifth consecutive season with at least 15 such goals. However, the current campaign has seen the Gunners struggle, as they remain one of only four teams yet to score a non-penalty set-piece goal after seven matches.
Manager Mikel Arteta attributes the lack of set-piece goals to luck, stating that although the team has performed well, they have not converted opportunities. He believes that the Gunners should have scored more from set-pieces based on their chances, which have an expected goals value of 2.50. This statistic highlights their underperformance compared to last season, when they exceeded expected goals from set-pieces.
Arsenal's set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, has been pivotal in their past success, but the team is now adapting to new officiating guidelines aimed at reducing holding and blocking during corners. Arteta acknowledged that this change has affected corner effectiveness, as referees are more vigilant in penalising defenders, leading to an increase in free-kicks awarded to the defending team.
Despite the challenges, Arsenal's corner delivery remains consistent, with a slight increase in short corners. However, the team is averaging only 4.7 corners per game this season, a significant drop from their previous campaigns. This reduction in corner frequency, alongside their current finishing struggles, has contributed to their inability to replicate last season's scoring prowess from set-pieces.
While Arsenal's set-piece threat has diminished, they are showing improvement in open play, creating and scoring more goals. Arteta emphasised the importance of diversifying their scoring methods. Despite the current difficulties, the evidence suggests that Arsenal's set-piece goals could return, although perhaps not at the record-breaking levels of last season.
via Sky Sports