Arsenal have become one of the most effective Premier League teams from set pieces under Mikel Arteta but the Gunners have faced criticism from a number of rivals
Arsenal star Piero Hincapie claims he doesn’t care about the criticism that his side faces for their style so long as it secures them the Premier League title. The Gunners have become one of the most effective teams in the top-flight from set pieces over recent seasons.
That approach has proven to be extremely effective, with Arsenal sitting top of the table and seven points clear of Manchester City. Despite that, some remain unconvinced, with their more physical style being criticised.
Hincapie, signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, has hit back though. He said: "We pay attention to the details. Our set-piece strength is talked about all over Europe. That’s the result of daily training with our set-piece coach, Nico Jover.
"That sounds annoying, but the results mean that every one of us is eager to score from a corner or a free kick."
He added: "The most important thing for me is that we are successful and don’t do anything illegal in the process. You can’t always win beautifully."
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One of the critics of the new-found approach to set pieces has been Liverpool boss Arne Slot. That is despite the Reds having also become experts themselves.
Speaking earlier this month, he said: "You have to accept it. I think it's mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues I don't think there's so much emphasis on set-pieces.
"If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think 'wow, that's a big difference'. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says 'just go on'.
"Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.
"Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch but it's always interesting because it's so competitive. That is what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness. Everyone can win against everyone."
While Arsenal have profited from a number of set pieces this season, they found themselves on the other side during their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen. The German side opened the scoring on Wednesday night from a corner just seconds into the second half.
debabiklry
0
Pep Barca is the reference for every decent coach
kipceilsuz
0
Let Calafiori start every match He gives us a lot of numbers in the midfield and with him we control the match But Hincapie, he’s always at the wide and we don’t get many players in the midfield Please start Calafiori
peuaikmrst
0
Gabriel its good player but play dirty defended refree have to look how he play
SkylarJohsua
0
they should ask Fifa to abolish set pieces, corners/penalty if that the case.....playing beautifully doesnt guaranteed you to win trophy like what we did in the past....even if you play beautifully but if you dont win trophy, haters will still mock you...thats how people are nowadays, never satisfied with anything!
Seocdekntz
3
Slot should guide his team to play beautiful football and stop complaining about how Arsenal is playing. No team is banned from winning through set-piece
nawcelmruy
0
we don't care what they say, it's our strategy If there are a set of micro pieces we shall apply, we don't care, let them talk behind the mirror it's not our problem.
vosikmptuz
0
The rules protect every player on the field but not to give undue advantage to anyone. The entire space takes 22 players and the center refree under extant rules.Teams must learn to play under these rules since any new ones will apply to both competing teams.
Sadacrstuz
0
I think it does matter how they are winning games because at the end of the day, no one will remember how well you played, but the results is what will matter.
vosikmptuz
0
Arsenal should turn deaf ears to set-piece criticism. Try improving on it to greater advantage and you'll make history.
homdilpstz
2
You are right we have been playing beautiful football in the past but it took us nowhere