The stats that show Arsenal's growing reliance on set pieces and the concerning trend that highlights why Mikel Arteta MUST sign a new striker
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If ever there was a game that showed Arsenal are in desperate need of a proven striker, then Sunday's FA Cup defeat against 10-men Manchester United was the perfect example. Gunners supporters have taken to celebrating the club's astonishing set-piece success this season under the expert guidance of Nicolas Jover but against United didn't get such joy.
![[The stats show Mikel Arteta (right) and his set-piece coach Nicolas Jover (left) have been placing greater emphasis on scoring from set-pieces]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/13/94037369-14278547-image-a-2_1736775816616.jpg)
Ruben Amorim's side were a defensive nuisance throughout the encounter as they vowed to not concede from another corner having twice been broken via that route in their previous 2-0 defeat at the Emirates. Arsenal were without their regular corner takers as Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with a long-term injury and Declan Rice began the afternoon on the bench, with the result being a lack of usual set-piece threat.
![[Ten-man Manchester United secured a stunning penalty shootout victory at the Emirates]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/13/94037267-14278547-image-a-3_1736775818818.jpg)
Mikel Arteta watched on in horror as Kai Havertz scuffed golden chances to put the match to bed once Arsenal had cancelled out United's opener while set pieces failed to prove effective. Altay Bayindir was heroic in denying Arsenal in open play and later during a tense penalty shootout that the visitors eventually reigned victorious in and was a brick wall against Gunners attackers throughout.
![[Arsenal are now seeing their highest ever expected goals (Xg) per game from set plays under Arteta with the team of title-chasers managing an Xg of 0.51 per 90 minutes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/13/94037349-14278547-image-a-4_1736775827264.jpg)
Arsenal's FA Cup journey was ended by rivals Manchester United as they crashed out at the third round on penalties. The stats show Mikel Arteta (right) and his set-piece coach Nicolas Jover (left) have been placing greater emphasis on scoring from set-pieces.
![[Arsenal ended last season with a combined 18.36 expected goals from set plays]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/13/94037341-14278547-image-a-6_1736775832643.jpg)
