How did Nicolas Joffre make Arsenal better at corner kicks?
Every time a free kick is awarded near the penalty area, Nicolas Joffre wanders next to the touchline, directing instructions to the arsenal players instead of manager Mikel Arteta. The matter is not limited to organizing offensive set-pieces. Such as, when Arsenal was trying to maintain its lead in stoppage time, winning three goals to two over Tottenham, adn a number of corner kicks were awarded to Spurs, Arteta went to the bench and asked Gofer Step forward and pat him on the back, as if saying to him: “it is indeed your turn now, and you are up to the obligation.”
In the final seconds of the match, Arteta left it to the set-piece coach to direct instructions to the players, which reflects the great confidence that Arteta gives to Gopher. We saw GopherS great work again last Wednesday evening when Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0, with both goals coming from set-pieces. Jover was expected to achieve great success with Arsenal, given the impressive work he did as set-piece coach at Manchester City between 2019 and 2021. In his first season with City, which is the 2019-20 season. He managed – according to alex Kepley on the English Premier League website - to reduce the percentage of goals that Manchester City conceded from set pieces, from 39 percent in the previous season to 20 percent.
The following season, this percentage decreased to 16 percent, which was of course reflected in the total number of goals the team conceded as well.His impact was equally great in the offensive aspects, as Manchester City topped the Premier League list in terms of the number of goals scored from set pieces in the 2019-20 season, and ranked fourth in the 2020-2021 season.
Arteta only worked with Gophers for six months at Manchester City before leaving to take charge of Arsenal, but he was very impressed with the great work done by the set-piece coach. Therefore, Arteta convinced Jover to join arsenal’s technical staff, a move that helped take the team to the next level. After adding giuffre to Arsenal’s technical staff, Arteta said: “I believed that we needed someone who specialized in set pieces.I met him, and we started discussing how to execute set-pieces from open play, which is also a relevant point. “They are not two separate things (set-pieces from open play and corner kicks), everything in this game is connected to each other, and we discussed how we can make the most of that.”
The young Spanish coach added: “I knew Nico before, and I asked him to come and join our project, and he left a strong mark on the team.” Actually, that can’t be denied at all, and nothing shows his influence more than the number of goals Arsenal scored from corner kicks, which increased dramatically after Joffre’s arrival. As David Wall of Opta Statistics reported,since Gofer joined,Arsenal have scored more goals from corner kicks than any other club in the Premier League,scoring one from every 16.4 corner kicks on average (a rate of six per cent).
In the 111 games that preceded Jover’s arrival, Arsenal scored a goal every 32 corner kicks, which is the Premier League average of around three per cent. But after Joffre’s arrival, this percentage nearly doubled. Therefore,it was not surprising that Arsenal succeeded in the 2023-2024 season in equaling the record for scoring the most goals from corner kicks in one season in the English premier League. It is clear to everyone that Gopher does an exceptional job on set-pieces, both defensively and offensively. In 2020-2021. In the season before Jover’s arrival, Arsenal scored only six goals from set-pieces.
As for the percentage of the number of goals scored by the team from set pieces in relation to the total number of goals, in the year before Joffre’s arrival, 11 percent of Arsenal’s goals came from set pieces, but during his first year at the Emirates Stadium, this percentage jumped to 26 percent. . Defensively, the betterment has not been as
Arsenal’s dominance on set pieces has become a defining characteristic of their recent success, a testament to the meticulous work of set-piece coach Nicolas Joffre.While Arsenal’s defensive solidity from set pieces was already notable before Joffre’s arrival, his impact has been undeniable in transforming them into an offensive force from dead-ball situations.
Statistics reveal a fascinating trend. In the 2020-2021 season, arsenal conceded a mere five goals from set pieces, a remarkable feat.However, the previous season painted a different picture, with Arsenal conceding 15 goals from set pieces, placing them among the league’s worst performers in this area. this stark contrast highlights the notable improvement Joffre has brought about.
When arsenal signed Joffre, manager Mikel Arteta emphasized his experience and the crucial role set pieces play in modern football. “He is a person whose experience can be very useful and valuable to us, because set pieces are an essential part of the game nowadays,” Arteta stated.Three years later, Arsenal’s prolific scoring from set pieces validates Arteta’s assessment.
The Premier League has witnessed a surge in goals from corner kicks,with a ratio of 4.2 goals per 100 corner kicks. Arsenal, under joffre’s guidance, have excelled in this area, capitalizing on their set-piece prowess.
“It is a pleasure to work with him,” Leandro Trossard said of joffre last year. “He is really smart on set pieces, which play a big role in determining the results of matches. This helped us a lot.”
While the dedication to set-piece training is evident, not everyone finds it enjoyable. Bukayo Saka jokingly remarked in January, ”We train a lot on set pieces. It’s a very bad thing! Nico, our dead-ball coach, does a really good job.What he does is good for us, so we will have to keep doing it.”
Saka himself has reaped the rewards of this rigorous training, his pinpoint corner kicks contributing significantly to his impressive tally of 10 assists this season. “There’s no competition between us – as long as we keep passing good balls and our great defenders keep scoring goals, there’s no problem,” said Arsenal star Declan Rice, whose corner kick led to Joren Temper’s goal against Manchester United, marking his fourth assist of the season.
Arsenal’s sustained dominance on set pieces over the past three years is a testament to Joffre’s exceptional coaching and his ability to add a potent weapon to the Gunners’ arsenal. This newfound strength from set pieces and corner kicks has diversified their attacking options, making them a formidable force in the Premier League.
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: decoding Arsenal’s Set-Piece Success with Nicolas joffre
**World Today News:** Arsenal’s proficiency at set pieces this season has been nothing short of amazing, equaling the Premier League record for goals scored from corners. What can you tell us about the man behind this transformation, Nicolas Joffre?
**Expert:** nicolas Joffre is more than just a set-piece coach; he’s a maestro of tactical strategy specifically for these crucial moments in a match. His presence at Arsenal has undoubtedly revolutionized their approach to both attacking and defending set pieces.
**World Today News:** We’ve seen him actively directing players on the sideline, even during high-pressure moments like the North London derby against Tottenham. How much trust does Mikel Arteta place in him?
**Expert:** The level of trust is clearly immense. Arteta explicitly delegates set-piece execution to Joffre,demonstrating his confidence in Joffre’s tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of the players in those specific situations.
**World Today News:** Joffre’s impact is evident in the statistics. Arsenal has nearly doubled it’s goalscoring rate from corners since his arrival,leading the Premier League in this area. Can you elaborate on the reasons behind this advancement?
**Expert:** Joffre’s expertise lies in creating customized routines and variations for different opponents, exploiting their weaknesses and maximizing Arsenal’s strengths. He doesn’t just focus on the delivery, but on the intricate movements and positioning of every player involved, making their set-piece plays incredibly unpredictable and effective.
**World Today News:** it’s not just about scoring, though, is it?
**Expert:** Precisely! Joffre also emphasizes defensive solidity from set pieces, minimizing the threat posed by opponents.While the attacking improvement is more pronounced, he’s undoubtedly tightened up Arsenal’s defensive structure as well.
**world Today News:** Before Arsenal,Joffre worked with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City,where he also achieved impressive results.
**Expert:** Absolutely. His track record at City speaks volumes. He considerably reduced the goals conceded from set pieces while also boosting their goalscoring output. Arteta saw firsthand Joffre’s capabilities and recognized his invaluable contribution to a winning team.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what do you think Joffre’s impact will be on Arsenal’s overall success this season?
**Expert:** Joffre has already proven to be a vital cog in Arsenal’s machine. His mastery of set pieces gives them a meaningful competitive edge,and it’s highly likely to translate into crucial points gained throughout the season. In a league as tight as the Premier League, these marginal gains can make all the difference.
