Set pieces have suddenly become something to celebrate after Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka turned corner hero for England at the World Cup
England progressed through to the last 32 of the World Cup as group winners after beating Panama. It was far from a vintage performance from the Three Lions, but they got the job done in the end.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were enough to set up a last-32 clash with DR Congo on Wednesday. It took until the second half before Thomas Tuchel could celebrate the opening goal, and lo and behold, it came from another set-piece.
Just like Kane’s second goal against Croatia, this time Bellingham connected with a corner kick to give England the lead. Kane’s headed finish came from a Declan Rice out-swinging effort, while the Real Madrid midfielder volleyed in Bukayo Saka’s cross from the opposite side.
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The two Arsenal men were often on corner duties for the Gunners during their Premier League-winning season, which received widespread criticism and scrutiny. Complaints of it spoiling the game and being reductive in nature, or lacking entertainment.
We all know the real reason… it was Arsenal. A quick Google search, and strangely, I am not spotting many think pieces on why set-pieces are ruining England’s World Cup.
Rice even made a funny comment when interviewed recently on the subject. “Everyone’s enjoying [set-pieces] now, aren’t they?” Rice said, speaking to BBC Sport last week. “Everyone’s enjoying them now.”
He added: “I wouldn’t ever take corners or set-pieces, but Nico [Jover] and the manager at Arsenal saw something in me that others didn’t.
“They said that I can put balls in areas from a dead ball that no one else can in the team at Arsenal other than Bukayo [Saka]. From that moment, I really just bought into that, believed in that.
“As time has gone on I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous.
“That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”
And excited they were when Bellingham’s volley hit the back of the Panamanian net. The difference was that both Rice and Saka had success from opposite flanks when taking them for Arsenal, Jover clearly preferring the in-swinging cross.
Perhaps seeing the success for England, next season we might see Arsenal make some tweaks and try a few out-swinging crosses instead? I’m sure no one will have any problem with that…
