“They are so dangerous and anytime I see them playing I fear for my team Manchester United…They’re are the best in the world currently”: Rio Ferdinand names TWO Arsenal’s players who are so good

Set-pieces have become an integral part of the way Arsenal play, which has had a ripple effect in the Premier League.

The Gunners have become so dominant with corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins that it has become an area of focus for their rivals.

That has led to some criticism for Mikel Arteta, with some pundits questioning whether Arsenal rely too heavily on their dead-ball threat.

That won’t stop the team from trying to maximise their value at every possible moment, which is helped by having good set-piece takers.

For Rio Ferdinand, Arsenal could have one of the best out there.

Rio Ferdinand picks out Arsenal star Declan Rice as a quality set-piece taker

With the growing importance of set-pieces in the Premier League, Arsenal have seemingly mastered how to score from them consistently.

While it’s important for them to have tall players who attack the ball well, as well as tactics from the set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, the delivery is also key.

Without a pinpoint cross, the Gunners may not be quite as clinical, with Declan Rice providing those opportunities for the side.

His accuracy from dead-ball situations has led to plenty of praise from Rio Ferdinand, as he singled him out as one of the best out there.

When reflecting on good free-kick takers on Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said: “Who are they [the good set-piece takers]? But no one’s banging in five like seven six five six of them a season. Three of three.

“Who’s doing it? Not now… Declan Rice. Yeah, Declan Rice.”

Ferdinand believes that, in relation to free-kicks, some of that could be recency bias from the two goals Rice scored against Real Madrid.

However, his overall ability in delivering corners and free-kicks is unmatched in the division.

Arsenal’s set-piece statistics so far this season

Arsenal’s set-pieces have been a point of discussion for the past few seasons, due to just how well they do from them.

That has led to a greater focus from other Premier League sides in not only stopping the Gunners but also causing havoc with their own attacking options.

So far this season, Arsenal are the top scorers from set-pieces with seven goals in seven matches.

According to Opta Analyst, they are only second in terms of xG generated from them, though, with 4.48 to Crystal Palace’s 4.96.

Set-pieces make up exactly half of the league goals scored this season, while the sheer volume of opportunities from them will always give Arsenal a chance.

The defensive set-pieces will be a concern, though, as two of the three goals conceded this campaign have come from them.