‘Set piece FC’ strike again just as Arsenal are tempted by the fountain of youth | John Brewin

Nicolas Jover’s corner routines bore fruit once more at Brentford as Ethan Nwaneri made his first league start

Never forget where you’re coming from. On the August 2021 night Brentford made their bow as a Premier League team, Mikel Arteta received valuable, indelible lessons on defending and attacking set pieces. Mads Bech Sørensen, these days back at the Bees’ former sister club, Midtjylland, launched the throw-in that led to Christian Nørgaard heading home for 2-0.

By then, Nicolas Jover was by Arteta’s side in the Arsenal dugout, having joined from Brentford via Manchester City. They have learned and developed much together since. Set pieces are no longer the refuge of scoundrels and dinosaurs, and with Jover’s fussy sideline guidance Arsenal have developed into their current hybrid of restart muscle and creative flair. The former has often stood in for the latter. At Brentford , it took until the second half for Arsenal’s flair to arrive, and only after a Jover special had grabbed the lead.

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