When Gabriel bullets in a header from a corner to beat fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur, it is perhaps not surprising Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover hits the headlines.
In fact, since the start of last season, that was the 24th goal the Gunners have scored from such situations, comfortably the most in the Premier League.
However, less obvious is the creative ways Mikel Arteta’s side are finding ways to use set-pieces to their advantage.
For instance, according to Opta, Arsenal spend the longest time to get the ball back in play out of the whole division – an average of 31.8 seconds so far this season.
That is in contrast to title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, who take 25.4 and 24.4 respectively.
A defensive effect of that is to slow the momentum of their opponents and allow Arteta’s side to get back into shape.
From an attacking point of view, it exerts control and, judging by the jostling at the back post at corners, gives optimum time for unsettling the opposition backline.
It is not just corners, throw-ins and free-kicks either. Against Brighton, goalkeeper David Raya took eight minutes out of the game with his goal-kicks!
Expect every tool in Arteta’s – and Jover’s – kit to be employed as they seek to win at arguably the hardest place in the Premier League on Sunday.