‘Criticised for Scoring Goals!’ - Arteta on Set-Piece Narrative

Mikel Arteta has hit back at the criticism Arsenal faced for scoring so many goals from set pieces last season, insisting the manner of a goal makes no difference to its value.

The Gunners were mockingly labelled ‘Set Piece FC’ during their title-winning campaign, after scoring a Premier League record 18 goals from corners. This season, however, the narrative has been turned on its head, with 20 of their 21 goals coming from open play, the highest proportion of any side in the division, according to Opta.

Asked about the contrast in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Arteta appeared bemused at the idea of his side being criticised for how they find the net.

He said, ‘What you just said, criticism for scoring goals?! We are getting criticised for scoring goals! Regardless of the manner that we score them, the team is showing a great attacking flow.’

The Arsenal boss stressed that, while his side have produced some stunning goals in recent weeks, a goal from a corner is worth exactly the same as one from a flowing move, and that being able to score in different ways makes his side harder to stop.

‘We’ve scored some beautiful goals but the value is exactly the same,’ he added. ‘I think we have to be a team that is able to score in many, many ways and that will make it harder for the opponent.’

Mikel Merino recently revealed that the Arsenal players saw all of the criticism on social media, from being branded bottlers to claims they could not score from open play, and used it as motivation on their way to the title.

Arsenal’s attacking play has been a highlight of the new campaign. Jurriën Timber, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka all scored from open play in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Lille, while Bruno Guimarães finished off a slick team move to seal the comeback victory over Leeds United last weekend.

Arteta will be hoping that variety continues at the City Ground on Sunday, where Arsenal have failed to score in three of their four visits since Forest returned to the Premier League.

The Arsenal boss insisted that his side are ‘going to try really hard to score goals and to prevent goals as well’, as they look to secure just their second win in seven visits to Forest in more than a decade.

We're going to try really hard to score goals and to prevent goals as well. It’s going to be a really tough match, they’re an extremely well-coached team. We know that, we already have experience with Oliver [Glasner] in the past and they’re a team that at home can create a really special momentum, so we are ready for it.

The Gunners then travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, before hosting Everton in the Premier League.