According to Sky news, Arsenal are set to use their warm-weather training camp in Dubai as an opportunity to fine-tune their set-piece routines ahead of the crucial title run-in. Following a packed schedule, including 11 games in 36 days, manager Mikel Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover are keen to maximize the six-day trip to work on new strategies that could give them an edge in the final stages of the season.
Last season, the Dubai training camp had a transformative effect on Arsenal’s set-piece execution. It was during this break that the decision was made to put Declan Rice on corner-taking duties, a move that paid immediate dividends. Prior to the Dubai trip, Rice had taken only three corners in the first 20 Premier League matches. However, after his increased involvement in set-pieces, Rice delivered 12 corners in the subsequent four games, resulting in three assists and helping Arsenal strengthen their position in the league.
Jover, renowned for his meticulous approach to set-pieces, builds routines “like a jigsaw,” starting with the taker, followed by the attackers and defenders. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess has seen them become the Premier League’s best team in this area, and Jover is eager to add more tricks to their already extensive playbook. The Dubai camp provides a rare opportunity to focus on this aspect of their game, as the hectic January fixture list left little room for set-piece training.
While the primary goal of the Dubai trip is to rest and rejuvenate the players for the latter part of the season, Arteta and Jover are determined to use the time wisely. Set-pieces will be integrated into the overall training sessions, as Arteta believes that the game is interconnected, and set-pieces should be practiced in the context of match situations. The idea is to create a “recognizable style of set-pieces,” just as they have a distinct playing style under Arteta’s guidance.
Arsenal’s set-piece routines are not just a weapon but a source of pride for the team, as they constantly work on evolving and outsmarting their opponents. With the title race intensifying, the Gunners will look to return from Dubai with fresh set-piece innovations that could be crucial in their push for the Premier League crown.