{"id":1004,"date":"2026-03-19T19:08:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1004"},"modified":"2026-03-19T19:08:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:08:52","slug":"everybody-gets-mad-gabriel-jesus-hits-back-at-arsenals-set-piece-critics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=1004","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Everybody gets mad\u2019 – Gabriel Jesus hits back at Arsenal\u2019s set-piece critics"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Gabriel Jesus has responded to criticism about Arsenal\u2019s set-piece-centric playing style, hitting out at those who feel it\u2019s ruining the football landscape. <\/p>\n

The Gunners sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table, nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Meanwhile, they remain in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, and have a Carabao Cup final to look forward to on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Despite an unprecedented quadruple being on the cards, Mikel Arteta\u2019s team have constantly faced intense scrutiny over their functional and defensive style of football, with many claiming they lean into dead-ball situations too heavily. Alan Pardew claimed that \u2018there\u2019s nothing beautiful\u2019 about Arsenal, while Paul Scholes believes the Gunners would be the \u2018most boring team\u2019 to win the title.<\/p>\n

Jesus is having none of this rhetoric.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Arsenal scouts in attendance to watch Julian Alvarez vs Spurs as Gunners interest intensifies<\/p>\n

Gabriel Jesus hits out at set-piece critics<\/h2>\n

Arsenal have scored from 28 set-pieces across all competitions this season. While this is significant, and the Gunners certainly do utilise their dead-ball specialists to great effect, the extent to which they rely on this form of attack is certainly overplayed. <\/p>\n

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are equally as potent from corners and free-kicks, yet Arsenal are continually cited as the trailblazers on this front.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, people at London Colney are somewhat irritated by the demeaning nature of the discourse around Arsenal\u2019s set-pieces. Jesus is amongst them.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the Athletic, the Brazilian striker hit out at the critics.<\/p>\n

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“Just because it’s Arsenal everyone talks.<\/p>\n

“Everyone is talking about our set pieces and then the fans sing\u2026 and then everybody gets mad.”@MarioCortegana<\/a> and @jacklang<\/a>‘s exclusive interview with Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus \u2014 out on Friday 🇧🇷 🔴 pic.twitter.com\/aIZJt0SnAl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cEvery single team scores from set pieces,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, one scores more than others because they train more. For example, we didn\u2019t score a lot at Man City (from set-pieces) like at Arsenal, but still, we were scoring from some set pieces. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I feel, just because it\u2019s Arsenal, everyone talks. Just because it\u2019s the team that is leading the league, everyone is talking about our set-pieces.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then obviously the fans go, and they sing the music. And then everyone gets mad. So, we concede goals by set-pieces as well. Set-pieces are in football.<\/p>\n

\u201cif you take a look at the World Cup, for example, because for me it\u2019s the biggest tournament in football. The biggest percentage of winning the World Cup is by set-pieces. So set-pieces will win you a tournament, a World Cup or a Champions League. So, it\u2019s part of football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gabriel Jesus on Nicolas Jover<\/h2>\n

The man behind Arsenal\u2019s incredible set-piece record is Nicolas Jover. The dead-ball coach has been at the Emirates for several years, and has gained notoriety for the impact his coaching has directly had on the team currently favourites for the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Jesus was asked about Jover and his character behind-the-scenes, and the striker went on to provide a fascinating insight into the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a very good guy, because we worked together at City as well,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I love to joke with him; he loves to joke with me. So yeah, we have a good relationship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we train it a lot. Credit to Nico, coz he was the one who was like fuming when we weren\u2019t scoring from set pieces for like six games, if I\u2019m not wrong. He was like \u2018no, we need to score, we need to score\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n