Ruben Amorim Criticizes Arsenal Wingers After 2-0 Defeat at the Emirates
Ruben Amorim endured his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United manager after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both scored from corner kicks, highlighted Arsenal’s dominance in set-piece situations, leaving Manchester United struggling to cope.
The victory boosted Arsenal to third in the league standings, while United slipped to 11th place.
Although defensive lapses played a significant role in United’s defeat, Amorim directed much of his post-match critique toward Arsenal’s wingers, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
He suggested the duo’s playing style prioritizes creating opportunities for set-pieces, such as corners, rather than attempting to score goals themselves.
Amorim noted: “Whenever Saka and Martinelli are in one-on-one situations, they always go wide and deliver crosses.
They understand that if the cross is accurate, they can score. If the cross leads to a corner, they can still capitalize.”
Arsenal’s proficiency in set-pieces under Mikel Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been a key factor in their success.
Since the start of last season, Arsenal has scored 22 goals from corners, the most in the Premier League and seven more than their closest competitor.
Amorim’s comments underline how this aspect of Arsenal’s game has become a defining feature of their attacking strategy.
Despite being without Gabriel Magalhães, one of their primary aerial threats who has already scored four goals this season, Arsenal demonstrated the depth of their set-piece system.
Timber and Saliba stepped up to deliver the decisive goals, showcasing the team’s adaptability.
Magalhães has often been central to Arsenal’s success from set-pieces, using his aerial prowess to dominate opponents, but his absence did not hinder the team’s effectiveness in this area.
The Gunners’ ability to consistently execute set-pieces has shaped the roles of players like Saka and Martinelli.
Instead of focusing solely on scoring themselves, these wingers appear to prioritize creating scenarios that leverage Arsenal’s strength in set-piece situations.
As Amorim observed, when a team is so effective from corners, it becomes logical to maximize these opportunities.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s set-piece dominance not only secured a crucial victory but also reinforced their tactical discipline and versatility.
For Amorim, the match highlighted the challenges of facing a well-drilled Arsenal side, while exposing weaknesses in Manchester United’s defensive organization and approach to countering set-pieces.
