Rio Ferdinand has hailed an unsung hero for Arsenal’s brilliance from set pieces after Mikel Arteta’s side took an early 2-0 lead against Crystal Palace from two corners.
Declan Rice scored in the first, with Gabriel soaring above Eagles defender Chris Richards to put the hosts 1-0 ahead after just eleven minutes.
But the Brazilian wasn’t done there yet: the 26-year-old managed to break free at the back post and nod Bukayo Saka’s corner into the center of the goal. Unfortunately for Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, the header hit him on the back before bouncing into the back of the net and ending up as an own goal.
As Henderson pointed out to the referees that he had been fouled in the six-yard box, Gabriel and his teammates drove away in delight, with referee Paul Tierney awarding the goal.
Although it was a fast start from Arsenal and excellent play from Gabriel, Ferdinand praised the Gunners’ regular coach Nicolas Jover, who watched an animated figure cut past Arteta on the edge of the penalty area throughout the match.
Rio Ferdinand has praised an unsung Arsenal hero for his brilliance from set-pieces
Gabriel opened the scoring with a header from a corner in the 11th minute, before helping the Gunners to a second corner from another just after half-time
At half-time, Ferdinand praised Arsenal for their excellent work at both corners
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“Yes, I mean, Mikel Arteta would have been very happy with his team,” he told TNT Sports.
‘They haven’t really smelled Palace so far either. But a set piece is very important, it’s a fantastic header, he attacked it so well Gabriel.
He added: ‘Nicholas Jover is the permanent coach, having been recruited for Man City in the summer of 2021. He does his job.
‘What you did in Dubai is working. I mean, they have the most set goals this season (thirteen goals) and ten corners from which they have scored, so they are doing very well in that area.”
Jover followed Arteta to Arsenal after working as a technical coach with the former Gunners midfielder at Manchester City.
He also praised Arsenal coach Nicolas Jover, who entered the technical area in Arteta’s place during the match to watch set pieces during the match.
Jover had followed Arteta to Arsenal after also working as a technical coach at Man City
Jover (right) joined City in 2019 after spells at Brentford and the Croatian national team, before leaving for Arsenal in 2021
The German-born French coach has also previously worked as a technical coach at Brentford and even worked as an analyst with the Croatian national team.
The Gunners have recently returned from a winter training camp in Dubai, where the team appear to have been working hard on their routines from set pieces.
Martin Keown, who also commented on the match, praised the gunners for the execution of their second goal.
‘Obviously ideal conditions on the training field to be away. Fantastic delivery, look at the block again, Ben White.
“Henderson can’t get close. I don’t think he cheated on him. He just stood there. And then Gabriel comes in at the far post and Richards doesn’t come away with any glory.
Gabriel rose high above the Crystal Palace defenders in the first corner and led his team forward
Leandro Trossard followed later in the second half, receiving a pass from Gabriel Jesus before firing the ball into the back of the net to make it 3–0.
“I think marking is a problem for him. He can’t see him once you can see your opponent’s number, like Gabriel did there and Richards was in all kinds of trouble.
“So it’s an important area and Arsenal have more or less focused on that. And you’d have to say it would have been that time that was gone. Everyone was given role responsibilities and they executed it fantastically well.’
Leandro Trossard gave the home team a 3-0 lead in the 59th minute. He received a pass from Gabriel Jesus before rounding the goalkeeper and firing the ball into the back of the net.
Gabriel Martinell wrapped up the match in stoppage time, netting a quick brace from the bench to cap off a resounding 5–0 win on home turf.