Shay Given proposes radical set-piece change after Leeds mauled by Arsenal - 'Ask a question'
Shay Given wants to see a big change in how teams defend against Arsenal set-pieces after they thrashed Leeds on Saturday.
Shay Given has called on managers to start being bolder when it comes to defending against Arsenal set-pieces, in light of Leeds United’s 4-0 defeat to the Gunners.
The Whites were utterly dismantled by Mikel Arteta’s men at Elland Road, with Arsenal once again proving deadly from corners, taking a 2-0 half-time lead via that route - setting up a second half where Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus finished the job from open play.
Arsenal’s second goal was particularly egregious, with Karl Darlow and Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting mixed up trying to deal with a deep Noni Madueke corner, with the former diverting the ball into his own net. However, both set-piece goals came as a result of the confusion caused by the Gunners flooding the Leeds six-yard box.
Shay Given suggests set-piece solution after Leeds mauling by Arsenal
Having analysed the chaos caused by Arsenal’s famous set-piece technique at Elland Road on Saturday, former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper Given came up with an interesting potential solution for opposing managers to try when defending Gunners set-pieces.
The former Republic of Ireland stopper has called on coaches to show more bravery by pushing more men forward, forcing Arsenal players to stay back and reducing the congestion in the box on set-pieces.
Given told BBC Match of the Day: “What can you do differently? How do you release the numbers, make more space in the box?
“If Leeds leave three up, just for example, Arsenal are going to need to leave at least three, if not four players back to defend this set play. So what that does now, in the Leeds defending box, is a lot more space both for the goalkeeper and the defenders to go at it. And yes, people will say there’s a lot more space for the attackers as well, but all those numbers in the box are causing so much confusion defending corners.
“I just wish a coach would look at them and go ‘you know what, we’ll leave three up’. What are Arsenal going to do? Ask a question of Arsenal, because every team seems to do the same thing, and they keep conceding. It’s just something to think about.”
What next for Leeds United?
Leeds must now dust themselves down after being outplayed by Arsenal, as they prepare to host relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
After that, Daniel Farke’s men face three consecutive away games against Chelsea, Birmingham City in the FA Cup, and Aston Villa, before returning to Elland Road for a home double-header against Manchester City and Sunderland.
Despite Saturday’s heavy loss, Leeds remain 16th and six points clear of the relegation zone, with 18th-place West Ham United surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Chelsea later that same day.