The Turning Point in Dubai
In the scorching heat of Dubai back in January 2024, Arsenal discovered a hidden gem in Declan Rice’s corner-taking abilities. Following his £105m summer transfer from West Ham, the midfielder had taken just three Premier League corners in 20 appearances leading up to the club’s mid-season training camp in the Middle East on January 8. This unexpected talent was a silver lining for Arsenal, who were struggling with a dismal run of just one win in five matches over the festive period. The winter warmth in Dubai provided more than just a physical respite; it became the catalyst for Arsenal’s impressive run-in of 16 wins and a draw from their last 18 league matches, though they ultimately fell two points short of champions Manchester City.
Unleashing Rice’s Potential
During the warm-weather training camp, Arsenal’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, noticed Rice’s uncanny ability to deliver precise and varied corners. Jover was particularly impressed by Rice’s consistency in placement and his rare capability to adjust his delivery style, ranging from looping curls to the back post to more direct near-post shots. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the immediate impact, saying, "Declan has been there since we decided to use him because of his unbelievable deliveries. He is so consistent." From January 20, 2024, to the end of the season, Rice took 44 Premier League corners, producing four assists in wins against Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Tottenham, and West Ham. The standout performance was a 6-0 thrashing of West Ham on February 11, 2024, where Rice’s corner saw William Saliba open the scoring, and his free-kick was headed in by Gabriel, along with a spectacular goal of his own. Arsenal had found their secret weapon, and with Rice’s deliveries from the left and Bukayo Saka’s from the right, they ended the 2023-24 campaign with a joint Premier League record of 16 goals from 265 corners.
The Impact of Saka’s Injury
Bukayo Saka’s perfect crosses were a thing of the past with the England and Arsenal star out injured. Saka managed three assists from 50 corners in the Premier League before his injury, but Arsenal’s fearsome aura has faded in recent weeks, especially after Saka tore his hamstring at Crystal Palace on December 21. With Saka out until at least mid-March, the responsibility has fallen on Rice. The variety that once had opposition defenders scrambling is now missing. Saka would loft one to the back post for an incoming Gabriel from the right, and moments later Rice would fizz another to the near post for a flick-on. The numbers have also taken a hit. Since April 2024, Rice has registered just one Premier League assist from corners. In fact, the midfielder has just one assist from 69 corners taken this term, and no assists from the 21 he has taken since Saka went under the knife.
Challenges and Struggles
Rice has been unfortunate not to have more assists; his delivery in the 1-1 draw at Fulham on December 8 was tapped in by Saliba after Kai Havertz had helped it on. And Arsenal’s last goal from a corner on January 15 — from yet another Rice delivery — was recorded as a Dominic Solanke own goal from Gabriel’s header in the 2-1 home victory over Tottenham. But since then, 30 Premier League corners have come and gone in games against Aston Villa, Wolves, Manchester City, and Leicester with nothing for touchline prowlers Arteta or Jover to wildly celebrate. Ten points from a possible 12 in that run should not be sniffed at, especially considering Arsenal’s injury crisis, but with Rice off the set-piece boil and substitutes Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard struggling to replicate Saka’s corner routines, Arteta will be wanting more.
The Dubai Recharge
The Gunners returned to Dubai this month with set-pieces high on the agenda. Ironically, it was a corner drill that saw German striker Kai Havertz attempt to block a shot and pick up a season-ending hamstring injury. Despite the setback, Arteta remains committed to his set-piece strategy. The Spaniard has been routinely mocked for his approach, but he understands that with no recognized center-forward and a real lack of attacking fluidity, corners could be their best bet in chasing down leaders Liverpool and keeping their title dreams alive. The pressure is now on Rice’s right foot to deliver, and the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Arsenal can maintain their title challenge.
Looking Forward
As Arsenal faces West Ham again on Saturday, the pressure is on to rediscover their set-piece prowess. With the title race heating up and Liverpool leading the pack, every goal from a corner could be a game-changer. Mikel Arteta and Nicolas Jover are working tirelessly to fine-tune their strategies, and the focus is on Rice to provide the same consistency and quality that made Arsenal’s corners so effective just a year ago. The upcoming matches will be a test of their resilience and adaptability, and the outcome will likely dictate whether Arsenal can secure their first Premier League title in nearly two decades.
