Arteta: Arsenal 'should have scored four' corner goals this season

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Arsenal have yet to score from a corner this season, but Mikel Arteta insists the underlying numbers tell a more positive story than the scoreline suggests.

Speaking in his pre-Leeds press conference, as covered by Arseblog News, Arteta was asked about Arsenal's lack of set-piece goals from corners through the opening five games of the campaign. His response pointed to process over outcome.

“My personal opinion is that we've done better things [from corners] than last year in the first five games, but we have scored no goals,” Arteta said. “And I think that's the reality of set pieces as well: sometimes we score a goal, or they score an own goal, and it's a set-piece goal, but we didn't do things well.”

He compared the current run to last season, when Arsenal had three set-piece goals by the same stage, but suggested the quality of delivery and execution was not always deserving of the outcome. “Last year we scored three goals by this time, and two of them we didn't have to do with it, and the execution that it deserved wasn't done rightly,” he explained. “But it's an element of luck sometimes as well, and I think this season we should have scored four and we haven't.”

Arteta added that if Arsenal continue generating the same volume of situations, the goals will eventually follow. “If we maintain that, I think throughout the season we'll be in really good numbers, especially if we generate the amount of situations that we do.”

Adapting to new corner rules

Asked whether he had told his players to be less physical at corners given rule changes around contact in the box, Arteta said the squad simply has to adjust. “You have to adjust to the rules and what is allowed and what is not. But that opens another window to do things that we want to do,” he said, adding that opposition sides are also putting more focus on defending set pieces. “Sometimes you have to give credit to the opponent as well; they defend better, they will put more attention to that. So we will score in a different way.”

Merino's international form

Arteta was also asked about squad members shining on international duty despite limited game time at club level, and used Mikel Merino as an example. Arteta revealed he had told Merino before his last Spain appearance that his scoring rate had transformed since joining Arsenal, going from roughly a goal every 13 games for the national team before his move to roughly a goal every 93 minutes since. Merino then scored twice against Croatia the following evening.

“I'm very happy that they are able to help the national teams in that way, because I haven't done it, but it should be one of the best feelings to represent your country and do it in such a way,” Arteta said.

Arsenal return to domestic action against Leeds United, with Arteta's comments suggesting the corner routine will remain a focal point of preparation rather than a cause for alarm.