Arsenal’s Set-Piece Power Shines in 2-0 Win Over Manchester United, Ruben Amorim Admits Frustration
Ruben Amorim expressed his frustration with Arsenal’s set-piece prowess after Manchester United suffered their first defeat under the Portuguese manager, losing 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Arsenal’s victory, which saw them secure their third consecutive Premier League win, was built on two crucial set-piece goals. Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a header from a corner, and William Saliba doubled the lead just moments later, also from a corner, as the Gunners strengthened their position in the title race, moving to within seven points of league leaders Liverpool.
For Amorim, the result marked his first loss since taking charge at Old Trafford, and the 39-year-old was keen to highlight Arsenal’s ability to capitalise on dead-ball situations as the decisive factor in the game.
“Set-Pieces Changed the Game” – Amorim on Arsenal’s Tactical Edge
“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Amorim said after the match. “The corners, the set-pieces, they changed the game. After that, we lost the momentum. We tried everything to get back into the match, but it wasn’t enough.”
United were well-organised for much of the match and managed to frustrate Arsenal’s attacking play, particularly in the first half. Despite keeping the hosts at bay, United struggled to create meaningful chances, with their expected goals (xG) tally at a mere 0.22. Rasmus Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Mason Mount found it difficult to break down Arsenal’s solid defense.
Amorim continued: “We were controlling the game in the first half, but after the set-pieces, we lost our grip. You could feel it in the atmosphere of the stadium, we were causing problems. But we need to improve in many areas of our game.”
Arsenal’s set-piece routine, particularly their ability to exploit the aerial presence of players like Timber and Saliba, was a major talking point. Amorim acknowledged that Arsenal’s long-standing focus on dead-ball situations gave them a clear advantage.
“They [Arsenal] are very good at set-pieces because they’ve had a lot of time working on that. They have big players for that, so it’s a clear strategy. We had two weeks to prepare for it, but it’s tough. Every team in the Premier League struggles with set-pieces,” he admitted.
A Tough Night for United’s Attack
While Arsenal weren’t particularly dominant in open play, their set-piece efficiency was the difference. Amorim noted that Arsenal’s wide players, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, also played a significant role, often causing problems with their pace and delivery into the box.
“You can see it in every match Arsenal plays. When Saka and Martinelli get one-on-one situations, they go wide and cross. If the cross is good, they can score. If it’s a corner, they can score. We need to be better at defending those situations,” Amorim added.
Despite the defeat, Amorim acknowledged that time is needed for Manchester United to improve in various areas, particularly in dealing with set-pieces. “Like in every area of our game, we need time to improve. But it’s clear that every team has a problem with Arsenal’s set-piece strength.”
The loss to Arsenal means Manchester United have slipped further behind the top of the table, and Amorim’s men will need to regroup quickly as they continue to adjust to his tactical approach.
