Ruben Amorim endured his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United manager in a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The match was defined by Arsenal’s dominance in set-pieces, with goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both scored from corner kicks, securing the victory for the Gunners. The defeat left Manchester United sitting in 11th place in the league, while Arsenal climbed to third in the standings.
Although the defensive lapses that led to Arsenal’s goals were evident, Amorim’s post-match focus was directed at Arsenal’s wingers, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
The Portuguese manager raised questions about their style of play, suggesting they prioritize creating crossing or corner opportunities rather than aiming to score directly in one-on-one situations.
Amorim explained his perspective, saying, “Every time Saka and Martinelli are in one-on-one situations, they opt to go wide and deliver a cross.
They seem to understand that a good cross can lead to a goal, and even if it results in a corner, Arsenal are likely to score.” His remarks shed light on Arsenal’s tactical emphasis under Mikel Arteta, where set-pieces have become a vital weapon.
Indeed, Arsenal’s effectiveness in set-pieces is well-documented. Since the start of last season, the Gunners have scored 22 goals from corners, which is seven more than any other Premier League team.
This impressive statistic highlights the impact of Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s set-piece coach, whose strategies have been instrumental in transforming dead-ball situations into consistent goal-scoring opportunities.
Even with Gabriel Magalhães, a key aerial threat, absent from this match, Arsenal demonstrated their adaptability. Gabriel, who has already scored four goals this season, is often central to Arsenal’s set-piece success. However, the contributions of Timber and Saliba emphasize the depth and versatility of the team’s approach.
Amorim’s comments underline how Arsenal’s system encourages players like Saka and Martinelli to prioritize creating corner opportunities rather than always attempting to score themselves.
With Arsenal’s proficiency in converting corners into goals, this strategy makes sense. Maximizing set-piece chances is a logical approach for a team that has mastered the art of scoring from such scenarios.
Ultimately, Amorim’s observations reflect his challenge in dealing with Arsenal’s unique tactical approach. The Gunners’ reliance on set-pieces and their ability to execute them so effectively continue to be key factors in their success under Arteta.
For Amorim and Manchester United, addressing these challenges will be crucial as they look to recover from the defeat and improve
their league position.