Set-Piece Obsession Ruined Arsenal’s Season – Gary Neville

Manchester United legend, Gary Neville has come out to say that Arsenal’s obsession over set-pieces is the major reason for their title charge fading away. He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and fans have been reacting.

According to him, it is clear for all to see that Arsenal have become quite rigid, and their obsession with set-pieces definitely overtook their entire game at some point this season.

Neville added that the players are no longer as free as they once was, and that has impacted results.

His words, “Liverpool have dropped points in their last eight games. Liverpool have drawn two in the last three, drawn four in the last eight. Arsenal had a chance to get back closer, they could’ve gone within five points, yesterday. It’s a big blow. A really big blow.

Questions will start to be asked, because it’s that type of season where you think it was up for grabs. Arne Slot has come in as the new manager, [Jurgen] Klopp’s left. I certainly felt there would be a drop-off at Liverpool, but Slot has been such a cool customer from day one. He’s in complete control.

Arsenal have become quite rigid, they’ve become quite turgid at times to watch. This obsession with set pieces, which was overtaking their whole game, exacerbated by this presence of the set-piece coach on the touchline which puts more focus on set-pieces. It’s like… no. The freedom’s gone a little bit from them.

I know that they’ve lost Saka, and I know that they’ve lost Jesus, and I know they’ve lost Havertz, which are big blows. I mean, let’s be clear, that is a big problem for Arsenal. But I still think you’ve got to do that job yesterday against West Ham at home.”

WOW.

Arsenal Football Club is an English professional football club based in Holloway, North London. Arsenal compete in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.

The club has won 13 league titles (including one unbeaten title), a record 14 FA Cups, two League Cups, 17 FA Community Shields, the Football League Centenary Trophy, one European Cup Winners’ Cup and one Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In terms of trophies won, it is the third-most successful club in English football.

After conducting an overhaul in the club’s operating model to coincide with Wenger’s departure, Spaniard Unai Emery was named as the club’s new head coach on 23 May 2018. He became the club’s first ever ‘head coach’ and second manager from outside the United Kingdom.

In Emery’s first season, Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League and as runner-up in the Europa League. On 29 November 2019, Emery was dismissed as manager and former player and assistant first team coach Freddie Ljungberg was appointed as interim head coach. On 20 December 2019, Arsenal appointed former club captain Mikel Arteta as the new head coach. Arsenal finished the league season in eighth, their lowest finish since 1994–95, but beat Chelsea 2–1 to earn a record-extending 14th FA Cup win. After the season. Arteta’s title was changed from head coach to manager.