Iconic Premier League boss Tony Pulis gave an incredibly frank verdict on how he would deal with Arsenal’s set-piece dominance.
The Gunners have become the set-piece kings of the league in recent years under Mikel Arteta, scoring 26 goals from dead-ball positions last season – the highest tally in the top-flight.
Gabriel’s ability to power home headers from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice’s on the money delivery has become a defining tactical approach under Arteta and the oversight of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. The set-piece guru has also tightened up the Gunners’ defence, as they conceded a joint league low of just seven goals from set pieces when they became champions last season.
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Arsenal’s tactics have proved incredibly divisive among rival fans, with some slamming their reliance on ugly and brutal routines, grappling and wrestling, while others have lauded their ingenuity to craft their goals in such a way within the limits of the laws of the game.
However, former Stoke City, Crystal Palace and West Brom manager Pulis has taken aim at the weak attempt to defend Arsenal’s corners and free-kicks, slamming the efforts as a “disgrace”.
Pulis enjoyed plenty of success from set pieces during his management career, most famously at Stoke where Rory Delap’s giant throw-ins were heavily utilised.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via sports betting sites, Pulis frankly explained: “Just using good old fashioned defending! I think you’ve got to be really, really strong.
“You certainly can’t look away from the ball when the ball’s coming in like some of them do and pull and push.
“I think it’s a disgrace that even early on this season, and I’ve watched games in the lower leagues as well as the Premier League, there are still players committing fouls.
“They’re not defending properly. And if you defend properly, then you’ve got a chance.
“You’ve got to really go man for man. I’ve always been a man for man person off corners and it’s his responsibility to make sure that he’s strong enough and brave enough to attack the ball when the ball comes in.
“I would not, and will never, go away from that principle that you get up against him, and you work and look at the ball and make sure you attack and get to the ball first.”