Why set pieces could have a big role to play in the North London Derby

There are anomalies, of course, including the two games last season, but the North London derby is typically a tight and fraught affair defined by moments.

It’s a fixture the home side has dominated in recent years and Arsenal are favourites to continue that trend on Saturday. There hasn’t been an away North London derby victor in the Premier League since 2014.

The upcoming contest will arguably be the most competitive iteration of the historic fixture since the Premier League’s establishment in 1992. Never before have both sides looked so simultaneously impressive. While Arsenal have evolved into Manchester City lite at the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Spurs – even if they haven’t been all that convincing through seven games to start the new season – have often looked imperious under the meticulous stewardship of Antonio Conte.

The Gunners head into the weekend’s bout top of the Premier League table having lost just once, while the unbeaten Lilywhites sit just one point adrift in third. Crucial to both teams’ success this season has been their ability from set pieces, and they could have a significant role to play in Saturday’s projected cautious affair.

Why set pieces could have a big role to play in the North London Derby

Tottenham made one of the most underrated moves of the summer by bringing in Italian Gianni Vio as set-piece coach. Former banker Vio worked with Roberto Mancini for the Azzurri and is said to have close to 5,000 set piece routines in his arsenal.

Last season, Spurs were one of the least efficient sides from set pieces in the Premier League, scoring just eight times from such situations – the fourth-worst record in the division. Through seven games this term, though, they’ve already scored five times – the joint-most in the league. Thanks to the innovative Vio, Conte’s side are now a distinct threat from set pieces and various routines have been successful. Arsenal must particularly be wary of the flick-on at the near post from an inswinging corner.

Fortunately, though, the Gunners are one of the best in the business from set pieces as well. Nicolas Jover has been the unsung hero in Arsenal’s rise under Arteta, and their craftiness from dead ball situations has been on full display this term. Their opening goal of the campaign was scored thanks to a clever corner routine and they’ve since matched Spurs’ five-goal set piece tally.

However, while Spurs have considerably outperformed their SP xG (set piece expected goals), Arsenal boast the highest in the Premier League (4.4) so far.

What makes the upcoming set-piece battle so intriguing is that both teams are excellent at defending them. Thus, it’ll take something special for one side to outwit the other in such situations. Tottenham’s SP xGA (set piece expected goals against) is just 0.84, the lowest in the league, while Arsenal’s is 0.95, the third-lowest. Both sides, meanwhile, have conceded just once from set pieces this season.

In each of those instances, it took something special to breach the north London rivals. Kalidou Koulibaly struck for Chelsea against Spurs on Matchday 2 with a thunderous volley, while Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz caught the Gunners off guard and scored directly from an inswinging corner.

In a game of fine margins, set pieces could prove significant in Saturday’s derby. Thanks to the astute work of Vio and Jover, the two north London sides are among the best in the Premier League from dead ball situations. It’s a battle that very few are discussing, but it may be pivotal in determining who claims the bragging rights.