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Arsenal’s Clever Set-Piece Tactic: How They’re Exploiting Premier League Rule Changes

Arsenal’s impressive start to the 2024/25 Premier League season has left fans and pundits alike wondering what’s behind their sudden surge in form. One clever set-piece tactic has caught the eye of eagle-eyed fans, and it’s all about adapting to the new rules.

The Gunners have always been known for their prowess from dead-ball situations, and this season is no exception. Their most recent win over Tottenham Hotspur, where Brazilian defender Gabriel scored the winner, showcased their new strategy. Instead of relying on the old "holding" tactics, Arsenal have found a way to exploit the new rules.

Last season, set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover was instrumental in Arsenal’s success, using clever tactics to block or obstruct opponents in the box. However, the Premier League introduced rule changes ahead of the new season, making it more difficult for teams to interfere with an opponent’s ability to play the ball. Jover had to adapt, and Arsenal’s fans think they’ve cracked the code.

On Twitter, one fan noticed how Arsenal used Tottenham defender Cristian Romero to block Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario’s line of sight, allowing Gabriel to score the winner. "Instead of White messing around with the keeper, we now use the opposition defender as the meat in the sandwich to press against their keeper just as the corner is taken. Sneaky 😏" they tweeted.

The fan followed up with images comparing Arsenal’s set-piece tactics from last season to this season. In the old approach, Ben White would try to distract Vicario by holding onto him and moving behind him once the set-piece started. This season, however, Arsenal used Romero to block Vicario’s view, leaving the Italian keeper with almost no chance to react.

Tottenham’s Vicario has vowed to adapt to this new tactic, promising to work on finding a solution in their next match. "It is tough to find a solution. It’s a good delivery. Maybe Gabriel is a little bit just free to head the ball and put it down in the net. We will look, we will look."

Arsenal’s clever use of set-pieces is just one aspect of their impressive start to the season. With Gabriel’s goalscoring form and a solid defense, the Gunners look like they could be serious contenders for the title.

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