Why Arsenal are being called ‘the new Stoke City’

It is now the norm for elite clubs to have set-piece coaches, and in Nicolas Jover Arsenal arguably have the best.

But as well as the hours of data analysis and tireless work on the training ground, another factor has been jokingly suggested as being behind Arsenal’s success – a similarity to Pulis-era Stoke City, the club often cited as the archetypal direct, no-nonsense team who maximised their physical strengths.

“Arsenal are the new Stoke City – depending on set-pieces to give them the win,” former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov said – with a smile – on Amazon Prime Sports after the game.

Portugal head coach and former Everton manager Roberto Martinez added: “We all suffered Stoke. I think it is a great credit to remember Tony Pulis.”

Under Pulis, 43.1% of Stoke’s Premier League goals between 2008 and 2013 (81 of 188) came from set-pieces (excluding penalties), so Arsenal aren’t quite on their level yet. Perhaps a long-throw specialist in the Rory Delap ilk is needed?

Other pundits and coaches were far more willing to praise the Gunners, with Gary Lineker describing the consistency of Arsenal’s set-piece delivery as “extraordinary.”

Speaking to Amazon, United manager Ruben Amorim labelled Arsenal’s corner routines “incredible, especially the way they change the games, because sometimes they are not dominating. Today [the game] was really divided, no big opportunities and then one set-piece can change the game.

“You can see in every situation Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli go outside and they cross. They know if the cross is going well they can score. If it goes for a corner, they can score.”