The recent winter break has seemingly done Mikel Arteta and Arsenal the world of good because it has allowed them to regroup and push again.
Previously, Arsenal fans have witnessed the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard step up to take set-pieces for the team, but not anymore.
It’s Declan Rice who has now taken care of that role and Michael Owen admitted that it’s something ‘I wouldn’t even have considered’, as he told Premier League Productions (12/02/24 at 10:50 pm).
Given the sheer size of Arsenal’s club-record signing, the former England striker feels he would be ‘wasted’ by taking corners, but he acknowledged that he must be ‘incredibly talented’ to now be handed those keys.
That was proven to be the case during Arsenal’s stunning win at West Ham United on Sunday, when their defensive brain in the middle of the park, not only bagged himself a goal, but also two assists from deadball situations.
It seems as though, out of nowhere, the London club during their Premier League title battle, have managed to add another weapon to their armoury.
And so far, it’s proving to be working a treat, even if it has taken Michael Owen by surprise.
Declan Rice set-pieces
“I wouldn’t even consider it,” said Owen about Rice taking set-pieces. “Yes, technically he is great. But the size of him.
“He is 6 foot 3. You are wasting someone. I would be thinking to myself ‘I am not wasting him on set-pieces. He needs to be in the box scoring goals’.
“And the very least, if he’s not going to be heading the ball and scoring a goal. I want him, someone with a defensive mind, that is going to be on the edge of the box and stopping any counter-attacks.
“So, the last thing I think is (he should be taking set-pieces), so he must be incredibly talented to take set-pieces and take him out of those areas. He has this pace and whip, hasn’t he?! It’s not an easy technique, but he has it to a tee.”
Arsenal keep the ball rolling
All that striker talk has now gone quiet as Arsenal dispatched yet another team in the Premier League title race.
This wasn’t just a massive three points, but a big positive for the team’s goal difference as they managed to put six on the board.
Arsenal’s goal difference is now +31, the same as second-placed Manchester City and only one behind leaders Liverpool.
All this does is just add more tension, drama and nerves to the title race because these last few months, as Arsenal fans know very well, are going to be nail-biting of the highest order.
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