Ahead of their clash with Bayern Munich, Arsenal had scored exactly half of their 24 goals from set-pieces this season. Jurrien Timber added yet another after just 22 minutes against the German giants after a well-worked corner straight off Arsenal’s training ground.
Bayern knew about their threat, with striker Harry Kane warning against handing the Gunners corners and Joshua Kimmich claiming Arsenal “rely on set-pieces” and “love long balls”.
Despite this, Bayern could not counter Arsenal’s tactics, which many Premier League teams are beginning to adopt due to their obvious success.
Speaking to Tribal Football via Sports Casting, Yakubu was asked if the club are over reliant on set-pieces, which many rival fans have voiced frustration about.
“It doesn't matter how you win your games. You have to find a way to win your games. I remember back then, when you went to Stoke City where Rory Delap used to take long throw-ins, and it is the same again now.
“I think when you look at the way the Premier League is now compared to last year, they do play the long ball now, not like before when they just wanted to pass it. Most of the team now have to play long balls. So go for the second ball, go for the third ball.”
Arteta has found his style
Arsenal are top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. There is no doubt that their tactics work and even when teams understand their fortes, clubs still struggle to counter their threat from the likes of corners and free kicks.
Yakubu believes that the way a team plays is down to the manager, and the Arsenal boss has certainly found his style in North London as he continues to dominate not just in England but across the continent.
“It is getting changed by the day. You can't just be passing and passing. You want to win games. So it depends on you. You want to play fancy football? You might not win a trophy. Play fancy football and end up relegated? It’s up to you. Then you get sacked.
"When you look at the teams now, they’re playing really, really good football. Passing short, long, short, long. The goalkeeper needs to be really, really good with his feet too. It’s better now than before."
