Opinion: Everton must heed Arsenal’s set-piece “dark arts,” ex-FIFA referee is spot on
Keith Hackett cautions Everton about Arsenal’s “rugby-style” set-piece tactics ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Everton will visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday, December 14, with manager Sean Dyche still facing significant pressure at Goodison Park.
However, his team will be well-rested following the postponement of their match against Liverpool last weekend.
Despite this, Everton must approach Arsenal cautiously, as former FIFA referee Hackett has called on the PGMOL to address Mikel Arteta’s set-piece strategies, speaking exclusively to Goodison News.
Hackett criticized the refereeing in Arsenal’s draw with Fulham, pointing out the failure to manage grappling and rugby-style tactics in the penalty area.
He noted, “There’s no doubt that one of the reasons they’re scoring goals from corners is because of players holding and wrestling their opponents to the ground, with referees overlooking it.”
He urged the PGMOL to take action, emphasizing that football should not resemble rugby.
Everton, however, can exploit set-pieces against Arsenal. In their last Merseyside derby, Dyche’s strategy was to rely on Dwight McNeil’s “perfect” deliveries from set pieces.
The Toffees scored all four goals in their 4-0 win over Wolves from dead-ball situations, a reminder of their strong record with set-pieces.
Last season, Everton scored 18 goals from set-pieces, the second-highest in the Premier League.
Arsenal, under the guidance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, have taken the lead in this area, with Arteta’s side benefiting from intricate routines that have led to key goals.
However, Arteta may be without a key aerial threat for Saturday’s match.
Gabriel, who plays a vital role in Arsenal’s set-piece defense, was absent from training on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League match against Monaco on December 11.
The absence of Gabriel would give Everton a potential advantage, and all eyes in Merseyside will be on whether the Brazilian center-back is included in the matchday squad.
Should he be missing, Dyche could turn the tables on Arsenal, using McNeil’s set-piece expertise to his advantage and potentially securing an unexpected victory in North London.
