December 11th 2024.
Adama Traore had a unique strategy for defending against William Saliba during corner kicks. This caught the attention of Arsenal fans, who were surprised when the Premier League shared a video praising Traore's unconventional approach. The Arsenal team has become known for their success with set-pieces, with their last three goals coming from well-placed dead ball deliveries. However, Saliba's goal at Craven Cottage was scored from close range after a header from Kai Havertz that came off of Declan Rice's cross.
In the earlier stages of the game, Traore took matters into his own hands and used his incredible strength to push Saliba over the touchline, preventing him from reaching the ball. This raised questions from fans about whether this was a legal move, with some citing a similar penalty given to Rudiger in a recent game in Spain. Others saw this as a deliberate troll from the Premier League, as the first post of the day showcased a clear foul on Saliba in the penalty spot, on a day when Arsenal failed to secure a win.
Arsenal will face Monaco in their next game, with a win potentially securing their spot in the knockout phase of the Champions League. Set-pieces will continue to be a strong weapon for them, but Arteta has expressed a desire to see more from his team in open play. He believes that they could have created more chances and potentially scored more goals in their previous game against Fulham, but acknowledges that the opposition also played a role in limiting their opportunities.
Arteta also sees set-pieces and open play as interconnected, with one influencing the other. He respects the perspective of those who view them separately, but also disagrees with it. Regardless, he is always looking for ways to improve and evolve his team's tactics. With a strong focus on both set-pieces and open play, he hopes to continue Arsenal's success and secure their spot in the Champions League.
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