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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Arsenal stars swarm Mikel Arteta's "genius" signing after taking the lead at Fulham

Arsenal players raced to celebrate with set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after taking the lead against Fulham thanks to Gabriel's header.

The centre-back rose highest to head Leandro Trossard 's corner past Bernd Leno and put the Gunners one goal up against their hosts. It was Arsenal's 12th goal from a set-piece this campaign, a pattern that has helped them race to the top of the Premier League.

Behind that impressing scoring pattern is Jover, who joined the Gunners in the summer of 2021 from Manchester City. He was labelled a "genius" by insiders and has transformed Arsenal's effectiveness from set-pieces.

That work has not been lost on the Arsenal squad, with Gabriel racing to embrace him after scoring against the Cottagers. Trossard's corner was swung in from the left, with Gabriel running from outside the six-yard box to nod in.

Jover's work on the training ground to create opportunities for Arsenal's biggest aerial threats has bee obvious for some time. During last season, they scored 16 goals from set-pieces in the top-flight.

That work has continued this campaign, with Gunners legend Alan Smith pointing to their threat from set-pieces. Smith hailed Trossard's delivery and Gabriel's desire to win the header.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was man of the match as Arsenal comfortably beat Fulham? Comment below.

Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has earned high praise for his work with the Gunners (AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

"He’s the highest to climb, the strongest, the most determined in there. They’ve got a good record from corners, the Gunners, this season and that adds to it. In a crowded box he’s the one that wants to get his head there," Smith said in commentary on Sky Sports.

"He’s thanking his set-piece coach here but it didn’t look all that complicated, it was a matter of getting the delivery right and being the strongest in the six yard area."

Former Liverpool and Tottenham star Jamie Redknapp picked out Jover for praise as he picked out the subtle movements from Gunners players that created the space for Gabriel to head home.

"Arsenal have got 12 goals from set pieces, it’s something they’ve massively improved on from previous years. Fulham defend in a zonal situation so Arsenal get all their players at the back post," Redknapp told Sky Sports.

"You can see that Arsenal identify this and really get a run on the team. Tosin - number four - has a problem and then Thomas Partey plays a big part as he bumps him out of the way and then that leaves the space for Gabriel to come in.

"They’ve been too powerful, too skillful for this Fulham side. Arsenal have been magnificent in this opening 45 minutes."

Gabriel Martinelli doubled Arsenal's lead five minutes after the opener, before Martin Odegaard sealed the win on the stroke of half-time. Though Fulham did fight back in the second-half, the Cottagers were unable to find a way past Aaron Ramsdale.

The victory means that the Gunners maintain their five point advantage over City at the top of the table. They are next in Premier League action next Sunday with the visit of Crystal Palace.

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