Arsenal ended their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Lyon at the Emirates – both goals coming from full-backs from set-pieces.
The Gunners' defense has arguably been one of their strongest assets in the 2023/24 campaign. William Saliba and Gabriel earned praise for their impenetrable defensive partnership, controlling the backline while contributing in attack.
It looks like going into the new season – Arsenal will once again rely on these two.
Saliba and Gabriel had a big hand when the Gunners beat Lyon on Sunday. The Frenchman was the first to get his name on the scoresheet, nodding ball after ball after Declan Rice's superb ball.
Rice quickly assisted the next goal, again from a corner, but this time he found Gabriel, who made light work of the opportunity. The defenders drove Arsenal forward and highlighted a strategy the team will look to implement throughout the 2024/25 season – hitting set-pieces.
They can thank coach Nicolas Jover for their success in set-pieces. Whenever the players come near the penalty area to try to shoot at the goal, he is there, on the touchline. It may be a case of it ain't broke and don't fix it – but Arsenal know they can score this way, and they'll keep trying.
Add 6'2″ Riccardo Calafiori to that mix and soon Arsenal will be scoring more goals from set-pieces than they ever thought possible. The Italian arrived at the Emirates this summer for up to £42m. His signing raised questions at the Emirates. some – who thought Arsenal already had a great backline, but Calafiori's presence would add more to Mikel Arteta's defence.
The former Bologna player made his much-anticipated debut in Arsenal's win over Lyon – coming on in the 64th minute to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko. He received a standing ovation when he was welcomed onto the pitch – the fans were eager to see what the player could do.
He moved into the left back position shortly after coming in at left back, looking calm and composed with his teammates.
Arsenal's defenders could once again steal the show this season, with Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori likely to be at the heart of everything good at the Emirates.
They begin their 2024/25 campaign by hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on 17 August and will be looking to show they mean business from the start.
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