Arsenal dub the new STOKE CITY live by MU legend as incredible heat maps reveal

DIMITAR Berbatov has christened Arsenal "the new Stoke City" after their corner masterclass against Manchester United.

The Gunners, who sit third in the Prem, eased to a 2-0 win over United thanks to two goals from corners last night.

Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock when he glanced Declan Rice's corner beyond Andre Onana in the 54th minute.

Arsenal then doubled their lead in similar fashion, this time from the opposite side when Bukayo Saka’s back-post delivery was headed back across by Thomas Partey, with William Saliba providing the finishing touch.

Arsenal have scored 22 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season - more than any other team in the Premier League.

And Mikel Arteta's side are showing no signs of slowing down.

But that has led to some stark comparisons from Berbatov, who suggested Arsenal are the modern day version of Tony Pulis' finest.

Former United star Berbatov said on Amazon Prime: "Probably the Premier League is the only league in the world where you have so many players around the goalkeeper, pushing, shoving, making chaos.

"Normally it is going to be a foul. Not here. You need to be strong.

"And that's probably why Ruben Amorim was watching from the side, he was like, 'What is going on with my keeper?'

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"You need to work on that. As we joke, Arsenal are the new Stoke City, right? Depending on set-pieces, which can give you the win, as it was today."

Gabriel has already scored three Prem goals from set-pieces this season, but his absence wasn't missed as he sat out with a minor knock.

Arsenal closed the gap to seven points on Prem leaders Liverpool after the Reds drew 3-3 away at Newcastle on the same night.

Stoke, meanwhile, prided themselves on their physicality under Pulis during his reign from 2006 to 2013.

Rory Delap's long throw was often their main ammunition when it came to creating chances.

Some believed Arsenal's opener - again from a corner - against West Ham on Saturday should've been ruled out.

Jurrien Timber appeared to have fouled Lucas Paqueta, who covered the near post and could have easily headed the cross away.

Former Prem ref Mark Halsey told SunSport: "Regarding decisions when a goal is scored. Was it a foul? Was it not a foul?

"For me, I think it was a clear free-kick. And I'm surprised that VAR didn't recommend a review."

Arsenal have scored 41 corner goals in the top-flight since the summer of 2021, seven more than anyone else.

It was the first time in 10 years that United conceded two goals from corners in a Prem match.

The last time was when Samuel Eto’o scored twice in Chelsea's 3-1 win in January 2014.

Amoirm, meanwhile, said: "The set pieces changed the game. We could've been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box.

"Until the set pieces the game didn't have too many opportunities for both sides, the set pieces killed the game.

"They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it's almost impossible to fight for the ball but we have to manage to defend them and we already know we have to be better.

"We were committed and we lost to the set pieces."

There were just five shots in the opening 45 minutes — three for Arsenal and two for United.

It marked the fewest shots in the first half of any top-flight fixture so far this season.

Meanwhile, former Everton gaffer and current Portugal boss Roberto Martinez backed Berbatov's comments.

He said on Amazon Prime: "We all suffered Stoke. I think it is a great credit to remember Tony Pulis."

Chelsea climbed above Arsenal on goal difference, as a result of their 5-1 win at Southampton.

And the Red Devils dropped to 11th with Nottingham Forest travelling to Old Trafford on Saturday.