Arsenal are the best in the Premier League in one area

The international break is upon us and with just ten matches left of the season to play there are some statistics that highlight the true strengths and weaknesses of sides in the division. Arsenal rise highest in one.

Collecting 31 points from the last 39 available, including those two defeats coming against two of the best sides in all of Europe, Arsenal are in excellent form heading into the final furlong.

Across the board there have been major improvements in numerous facets, from the way the team build up from the goalkeeper to how they attack the opposition box. This side is more well rounded than it has been in years.

But there is more to football than having the ball on the floor and playing. What makes the game so enticing is that there are numerous ways to win. No one formula is a guaranteed success. However, one area of the game is often overlooked in its importance, and is something that every side, regardless of playing style, can utilise: corners.

Arsenal are the best in the Premier League at defending corners with Mikel Arteta’s side yet to concede a single goal in 133 attempts

This Arsenal side are quite effective at scoring from them. Any team who can get Thomas Partey to net two goals in the Premier League must be finding the right formula when it comes to corners.

Hiring Nicolas Jover as the set piece specialist in the summer to replace the departing Andreas Georgson, Mikel Arteta had his eye on untapping the potential of set pieces. To Georgson’s credit, he set the foundations for greater steel in defence, with the Gunners conceding just five goals from set pieces last season, the lowest in the entire division.

Jover has come in an built on that groundwork, making the side much more potent in the opposition box. Best of all, though, is hat he’s overseen a remarkable run when it comes to defending corners.

So far this season Arsenal have faced 133 corners from the opposition, and have conceded a grand total of zero goals from them. None. No other side in the entire division can lay claim to that record.

This incredible run is having a clear impact on the players, too. Now they visibly find themselves in situations where they are content kicking the ball out for a corner over taking a risk in keeping it in play. Cedric certainly does this on occasion, as while nobody wants to concede a corner, it’s now something the entire team is confident about defending.

As for reasons behind the improvement, while Jover rightfully takes a lot of credit for matters at both ends of the pitch, the team have clearly realised the importance of dead balls and put in serious groundwork to perfect their methods. Greater communication and understanding of their roles has obviously played a part, and so too has the introduction of Aaron Ramsdale.

It’s an incredible record to have heading into the international break with just ten games to go.