Arsenal ‘got a bit of luck’ to beat Nottingham Forest and should be concerned over their dramatic drop-off in set-piece goals, reckons Shay Given.
The Premier League champions came away from the City Ground on Sunday with a 1-0 win as Noni Madueke netted the only goal of the game.
It was a very forgettable contest, with the Gunners dominating the ball but not being able to create much against a stubborn Forest defence.
The breakthrough finally came on 80 minutes when Madueke saw his effort deflect off Jair Cunha and past Matz Sels.
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Arsenal have scored as many goals (11) as Ipswich Town in their first seven league games and former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Given feels Arsenal’s lack of set-piece success is a worry.
Just over 40 per cent of the Gunners’ goals in the last campaign came from set-pieces, but they are yet to score from one this season.
‘I think they had one today from Gabriel, from a header, but that is a concern because there were games last year that were tight, a bit like today and they couldn’t find a way through,’ the Irishman said on Match of the Day.
‘They got a bit of luck today with the deflection off Cunha, but again, set-plays are so important. The set-play coach will have to get his finger out.’
On why Arsenal could be struggling from dead balls this season, Given added: ‘I think the referees are stamping down on blocks and pulls and stuff, whereas Arsenal were the experts on that last season, so they’re getting away with less and that’s perhaps why they’re scoring less goals.’
Despite these concerns, Arsenal moved back into second in the table with the victory, which was their sixth in seven Premier League games.
No team has conceded fewer than their five goals so far this campaign, which looks set to be the basis of another title challenge.
On the tight game on Sunday, manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC: ‘We knew it would be the case and last time we didn’t manage to win the game but we did today. We had to earn it until the last second.
‘They are a well-coached team and hard to break down. We had to take risks, they are a dangerous team. We had to manage the emotional part really well. We stayed focused, and the finishers made a huge impact.’
Madueke came on for Eberechi at half-time, with Arteta explaining the change after by saying: ‘The way they were defending, the two units outside, the two midfielders were creating without having a real threat in behind of just forcing [Daniel] Munoz to a different type of game. They were more comfortable.
‘That’s what we have, different players with different qualities and adapt to what the game is delivering.’
On a disappointing day for Eze, he said: ‘Three days a go he scored a goal, he should have scored three and we were all happy.
‘This is football, one day is brilliant and especially with attacking players to play a team which defends with 10 players around the box, the nine dropping almost at the edge with that chemistry it’s extremely difficult to get in there.
‘That’s why you need fresh legs, a different profile and try fresh things.’