Arsenal both scored and conceded from set pieces in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, leading Jamie Carragher to point out Mikel Arteta’s ‘big problem’
Jamie Carragher took a swipe at Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover after Crystal Palace exposed the Gunners’ set piece frailties. Palace came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday, with both opening goals for each side coming from set pieces.
Jakub Kiwior broke the deadlock for Mikel Arteta’s side with just three minutes in the clock. The Arsenal defender nodded in Martin Odegaard’s free-kick, marking their 16th set-piece goal this season.
Jover has been credited with masterminding the Gunners’ routines and Arsenal have become known as the set piece kings of the Premier League. The former Brentford and Manchester City coach even had a mural made for him by supporters earlier this season.
But defending them is another matter and a ‘big problem’ for Arsenal, according to Carragher. Palace equalised from a set piece, as Adam Wharton floated a corner out to Eberechi Eze on the edge of the penalty area and the England international volleyed home.
During his post-match analysis, Carragher pointed out that Arsenal have conceded the second-highest percentage of goals from corners in the top flight this season. Only 14th-placed Manchester United are more susceptible.
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“In terms of percentage, only Man United are worse than Arsenal set piece-wise this season,” Carragher highlighted. “So when we make a big deal about the set piece coach… he’s absolutely out of this world in terms of going forward, but they’ve got a big problem defensively.
“So should we be cutting his wages in half? Do they need a defensive set piece coach? It’s been one of the stories of the season and rightly so. It’s unbelievable.
“You feel like they are going to score a goal from a set piece in every game, or come very close to scoring. Of course he’s had a huge impact but it is funny that they are having huge problems themselves.”
Do you agree with Jamie Carragher? Have your say in the comments section.
Jover has become a contentious figure among pundits, with Gary Neville his most high-profile critic. Back in December, ex-United captain Neville called him the ‘most annoying bloke in football’, prompting Carragher to pull his leg.
“I’ll tell you what, give him what he wants,” the Liverpool legend joked. “If you were that set-piece coach for Arsenal, you could write your own contract, couldn’t you? You couldn’t get rid of him. You know, if he said, ‘I want 25 grand a week’, you’d have to give it to him, wouldn’t you?”
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