Mikel Arteta responds to Arsenal being labelled ‘the new Stoke City’

Mikel Arteta insisted that comparisons with Stoke City were a ‘compliment’ after Arsenal continued their impressive set-piece record in midweek.

Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners as the Gunners won 2-0 against Manchester United on Wednesday.

The north London side have now scored 22 goals from corners since the start of last season – more than any other team – while United conceded two goals from corners in one game for the first time in over a decade.

But while Nicolas Jover has revolutionised his side’s proficiency from dead-ball situations, their dominance has drawn frustration from opponents, with Gary Neville recently labelling Jover ‘the most annoying bloke in football’.

Arsenal’s consistent threat at set-pieces has even seen them compared with former Premier League side Stoke City who prided themselves on physicality and aerial dominance, often creating a host of chances from Rory Delap’s famous long throw-in.

But Arteta saw no downside to the comparisons and said his side were thriving to be the best in the world at ever discipline.

‘Well we want to be the kings of everything, on set pieces, the best in the world, on high press the best in the world, attacking in open spaces, the best in the world,’ he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fulham.

‘Best atmosphere and stadium, the best at everything. Before it was we didn’t score enough, we didn’t challenge, we didn’t win big games for 20 years. We want to be the best at everything.’

Asked specifically about former United striker Dimitar Berbatov comparing them to Stoke, Arteta responded: ‘I understood very well what Dimitar Berbatov said, I was in the best possible way.

‘We take it as a big compliment [because Stoke were so good at it].’

While Arteta’s appointment of a dedicated set-piece coach had not often been seen before, the Spaniard rejected the notion that his coaching staff were trailblazers and insisted his side could get even more potent from corners moving forward.

‘No [we are not trailblazers], not at all,’ he said. ‘There have always been exceptional teams on that. Whatever we do, I repeat myself, is not good enough.

‘We can still improve a lot in that sense. Last year we scored the most set-piece goals in the club’s history but we want more.

‘More margin, we can do things better with the defence and the environment the same thing. Everything we are going to try and improve it, for sure.’

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