After Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United in midweek, with both goals coming from set-pieces, former Red Devils striker Dimitar Berbatov jokingly likened the Gunners to Tony Pulis’ Stoke City team from 2008-2013. Speaking on Amazon Prime, Berbatov said: “As we joke, Arsenal is the new Stoke City, right? Relying on set-pieces, which can secure you a win, just like today.”
In response, former Watford striker Troy Deeney criticized the comparison, calling it “lazy” and arguing that reducing Pulis’ Stoke team to just a set-piece side was unfair. He also claimed that Bukayo Saka wouldn’t fit into that Stoke side, not because of a lack of ability, but because of the vastly different style of play.
Writing in The Sun, Deeney said: “If anything, it’s disrespectful to Tony. He did an incredible job with a mid-table Stoke team, keeping them in the Premier League, and yet people think it was ONLY because of set-pieces? And why is there such a stigma about it? Should every team play ‘beautiful football’ like Southampton and end up relegated?”
Deeney, who played against Pulis’ Stoke, continued: “I was there on Wednesday. It wasn’t a great game, but Mikel Arteta’s team won with two corners. I faced Pulis’ Stoke, and they were nothing like today’s Arsenal. Saka wouldn’t get into that Stoke team, not because he’s not good enough, but because of the completely different style of play.”
He also defended Arsenal’s approach, saying: “Why does heading the ball into the box get criticized, while United didn’t seem to want to do it at all? I loved Berbatov as a player, but it feels like a lazy comparison from someone who wants to defend his old club. If United won 2-0 from two corners, would Berbatov call it a tactical masterclass? But when Arsenal does it, it’s Stoke? Arsenal dominated possession too. It’s called winning football.”
Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League in set-piece goals since last season with 22, though manager Mikel Arteta insists that set-pieces are just one part of their strategy. Arteta stated: “We want to be the kings of everything. The best at set-pieces, the best at high pressing, the best in open play, the best atmosphere and stadium, the best at everything.”
He continued, reflecting on past criticisms: “Before, people said we didn’t score enough, we were soft defensively, lacked mentality, couldn’t challenge the top teams. Now, we want to be the best in every area—our academy, player development, recruitment, and coaching.”
Arsenal will look to extend their winning streak when they face Fulham on Sunday in a Premier League clash between third and sixth place.
B. Saka
Bukayo Saka
EnglandThis season he played in total 13 times for 1073 minutes for Premier League.
B. Saka scored 5 goals for Arsenal. He procured 10 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Premier League. In the last match Arsenal won 2-0 against Manchester United. The next match in Premier League will be against Fulham.
Arsenal performance and stats
Arsenal is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 28 points.
In the last 14 games, it has won 8 times, drew 4 times, and lost twice. In its last match, Arsenal won 2-0 against Manchester United.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 28 goals and conceding 14.
Arsenal will play the next match in Premier League against Fulham on Sunday 8th of December in London. The prediction is Arsenal winning the match.
