Arsenal fans hit back at Liverpool over set-piece narrative after discovering six-year record

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Arsenal continue to be labelled a boring team as they extended their lead in the Premier League title race to four points.

The Gunners have been solid at the back with enough inspiration in attack to keep consistency, something their rivals haven’t found.

Despite that, Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side have been criticised for playing football in a way that doesn’t entertain the masses.

Set-pieces have been a core part for the Gunners so far, but that has often been used as a stick to beat them with, rather than an area for praise.

Given Liverpool’s struggles in defending set pieces, and some media speculation about it, Arsenal fans have delved into the archives to counter accusatory claims about their reliance on set pieces.

Arsenal fans mock Liverpool over old set-piece post

The danger that Arsenal pose from set-pieces is clear, with teams simply unable to deny Declan Rice’s delivery, mixed with the physicality of the attacking players.

That has led to some frustration in some corners, not least at Liverpool, where their struggles in defending set-pieces have surfaced.

Some supporters have been high and mighty about their style of play in comparison to Arsenal, but plenty of fans have looked back and found the hypocrisy in those discussions.

An old post from Liverpool in 2019 noted just how efficient they had been under Jurgen Klopp from dead-ball situations.

It reads: “Set-piece masterminds. The Reds have now scored 40 times from set-pieces in the Premier League since the start of last season – the best tally of any team in the division.”

Arsenal fans flooded the replies, amid all of the discussion over style, seemingly hitting back at narratives surrounding the club.

“Wait. We are Set Piece FC though?” one fan said in response.

Another fan added: “Yet when it’s Arsenal it’s dark arts.”

“But but but it’s a problem now when it’s Arsenal,” one fan claimed in response.

Another supporter said: “The best thing about the world wide web is that everyone’s pathetic hypocrisy can be exposed in 20 seconds.”

“Ladies and gentlemen I think it’s safe to say ‘We got ‘em’,” another supporter claimed.

It shows just how frustrated Arsenal fans have grown surrounding the narrative of the club and their ability to win matches, when compared to others.

That record from six years ago proves that focusing on set-pieces isn’t a new thing set off by the Gunners, even if others wish to point the blame at them.

How many set-piece goals have Arsenal scored since last season

To make a true comparison between Arsenal and that Liverpool team of 2019/20, it’s worth looking at the past season and a bit for the team.

Last campaign, the Gunners scored 15 goals from set-pieces, the fourth-most in the Premier League behind Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

That has been taken up a notch this season, with nine already scored by the side, taking their overall tally to 24 over a similar period.

That’s not quite at the same level as the Liverpool team which scored 40 under Klopp.

What may well be the difference is the volume and the perception, as Arsenal receive a lot of corners, and the set-piece goals make up a large share of their overall tally.

For such a big team, others look down on goals from corners, free-kicks and throw-ins, especially if they are relied upon.

For Arsenal, they aren’t some additional bonus but rather an important part of their play which is winning them matches.