Ruben Amorim faced his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United manager when his team lost 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both scored from corner kicks, secured the victory for Arsenal in a match where Manchester United struggled to defend against the Gunners’ set-piece prowess. The loss leaves United in 11th place in the league standings, while Arsenal moves up to third.
Following the game, Amorim’s post-match comments shifted attention away from the defensive lapses that led to the goals. Instead, he focused on Arsenal’s wingers, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, questioning their approach in attacking situations. According to Amorim, the pair seems more inclined to create opportunities through crosses or by winning corners, rather than attempting to score themselves.
Amorim elaborated on his observations, stating: “Every time Saka and Martinelli find themselves in one-on-one scenarios, they opt to go wide and deliver a cross. They understand that a good cross can lead directly to a goal or, at the very least, result in a corner, which often works in their favor.” This tactic has proven to be a significant strength for Arsenal, as they have scored 22 goals from corners since the beginning of last season—seven more than any other Premier League side.
The effectiveness of Arsenal’s set-piece strategy is a testament to the work of Mikel Arteta and his set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover. Even in the absence of Gabriel Magalhães, a key aerial presence who has already scored four goals this season, Arsenal demonstrated their adaptability and strength in executing set-pieces. The goals from Timber and Saliba highlight the team’s ability to rely on multiple players to capitalize on these opportunities.
Arsenal’s consistent success from corners sheds light on why players like Saka and Martinelli might focus on creating corner situations rather than taking direct shots on goal. With such a prolific record from set-pieces, it makes strategic sense to maximize these chances. Amorim’s critique indirectly underscores the efficiency of Arsenal’s approach, which continues to yield results.
Ultimately, the match served as a reminder of Arsenal’s mastery in leveraging set-pieces as a critical component of their attacking play. While Amorim’s comments on Saka and Martinelli’s tactics were pointed, they also highlighted the systematic and calculated approach Arsenal employs to maintain their edge in the Premier League.
