London: Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, has expressed pride in his team's set-piece goals despite facing criticism from former players and football analysts following their 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
According to Ghana Web, Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, while speaking on Sky Sports after the match, voiced his dissatisfaction with Arsenal's performance due to their inability to score from open play. Toure, a former Manchester City midfielder, criticized the Gunners for their reliance on set-piece goals to secure results, particularly given the high caliber of players on their roster.
During the post-match press conference, when asked about the team's dependence on set pieces, Arteta acknowledged his satisfaction with scoring from such situations. The Spanish manager emphasized that considering the game's intensity and Chelsea's strong defense, it was Arsenal's set-piece execution that clinched the win. Arteta highlighted the importance of having varied scoring options, noting that set pieces can be challenging for opponents to defend against.
Arsenal continues to lead the Premier League table with 64 points, maintaining their title challenge. Manchester City trails with 59 points, and the gap may narrow to two points if City wins their pending match.