Arsenal Are The New Stoke City – Dimitar Berbatov
More shots from corner kicks than open play against Manchester United
Dimitar Berbatov has dubbed Arsenal “the new Stoke City” following their 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday.
Set-piece goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba secured all three points for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, as they continued their pursuit of the Premier League title.
During his punditry work, the former Tottenham and Manchester United striker compared Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to Tony Pulis’ Stoke City, who were notorious in the late 2000s for exploiting set pieces to punish opponents. The Potters famously benefitted from Rory Delap’s long throw-ins, which became a hallmark of their playing style.
Arsenal has scored 22 goals from set pieces since the start of last season, including this campaign, highlighting their proficiency in this area of the game.
22 - Arsenal have scored more goals from corners than any other side in the Premier League since the start of last season (21), while the two players with the most assists from set plays in this time are Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka (7 each). Formula. pic.twitter.com/N6bFNQwRcc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2024
To emphasize Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces, they registered more shots from corner kicks than from open play tonight.
7 - Arsenal had more shots from corners (7) than they did from open play (6) against Manchester United. Indeed, the Red Devils conceded two goals from corners in a Premier League match for the first time since January 2014 (v Chelsea). Targeted. pic.twitter.com/NHnzmR0hXb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 4, 2024
Speaking on Amazon Prime Video, Berbatov remarked:
“The Premier League is probably the only league in the world where you see so many players crowding the goalkeeper, pushing, shoving, and creating chaos. Normally, this would be a foul, but not here. You have to be strong. That’s probably why [Rúben Amorim] was looking at his keeper, wondering what was going on.”
He added:
“As we joke, Arsenal is the new Stoke City. Depending on set-pieces can be decisive, as it was today.”
The win put Arsenal joint third in the league table, with only goal difference separating them from second-place Chelsea. They remain seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle.
