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Arsenal and set-pieces are two of the most commonly used phrases in football this season but Toni Kroos has claimed there is more to it than simply creating chances.
The Gunners have had huge success this season from set-plays and are a constant threat from corners and free-kicks.
However, while it has helped Arsenal win games, former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos believes it’s also a tactic in getting the supporters onside.
Be honest: How many goals do you think Arsenal will score against Barcelona in the Champions League?
Credit: Getty Images/ames Gill – Danehouse Toni Kroos impressed by Arsenal’s set-pieces after seeing them v Bayer Leverkusen
It took two brilliant goals to get past Leverkusen in Europe and it made a change for the Gunners to score two ‘worldies’ and not need a set-piece.
However, Kroos – who watched the game for German TV – believes the set-plays also helped Arsenal in terms of managing the game.
“On the one hand, I found it quite impressive from Arsenal, but on the other hand, it also showed how simple a game like that can be. We talked about it, Leverkusen managed, for the first 10-15 minutes, to keep Arsenal away from goal. And somehow, that’s exactly how the game went. And it’s not really a surprise, which is why I’d open up a separate topic here: Arsenal’s set pieces,” Kroos said on Luppen TV.
“This was another game where they worked their way into it through set pieces. You mentioned that phase where they had several big chances, but again, it was a game where Arsenal generated clear opportunities from set pieces and used that to grow into their overall play.”
Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“You know how it is, once you have that momentum, a couple of chances, the crowd gets going, you become dangerous, and suddenly your general play improves and flows more smoothly.
“So first of all, I’d be interested to know if you saw it the same way. And secondly, it’s well known how strong Arsenal are from attacking set pieces. So the question is, teams know this in advance. You could say, ‘Did you prepare poorly? It was obvious.’ Or are there simply situations that you just can’t defend against?”
Arsenal’s brilliance in getting goals from set-plays this season has been a thing of beauty really.
And while some debate it might be boring or not the most pleasing on the eye, there is absolutely no doubting that it is helping Arsenal win games.
This take from Kroos is an interesting one too. As a former player, especially of Kroos’ quality, for him to see that it’s having an effect on the rest of the game is quite telling.
Football is about building pressure and then taking chances that come from it. If Arsenal do this by using set-plays, then that can only be a positive.
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