Declan Rice says Arsenal “could have scored three or four” from their corners against Manchester United in their 2-0 victory at the Emirates.
The Gunners dealt Ruben Amorim his first defeat as United manager during a dominant display at home, particularly from set-pieces.
Both of Arsenal’s goals came from corners, the first of which was taken by Rice, as Jurrien Timber and William Saliba were on target, with the hosts going close from almost all of the 12 they had as the Red Devils struggled to deal with their opponents’ aerial dominance.
Set-piece goals have been a running trend during Arsenal’s season and midfielder Rice was delighted to see his side’s tactic work so effectively.
The 25-year-old told Amazon Prime: “What a night. Manchester United have a new manager so we knew it would be a test. We stuck to the game plan and we could’ve had three or four.
“When you go up for a corner it’s a chance to score a goal. To score both of them from corners, [set-piece coach] Nico [Jover] will be buzzing and I’m so happy.
“It’s more just seeing clips and I know the weight I need to put on the ball and it’s just about repetition. I put a few good balls in and could’ve had a couple of assists so it was nice to get one.”
Man Utd just CANNOT DEAL with Arsenal’s corners! 😯
The Gunners have their second goal thanks to William Saliba! ✌️#PLonPrime #ARSMUN pic.twitter.com/N2JQ105S8Q
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
Amorim: ‘We have to be better’
United were second best in North London with Amorim tasting defeat for the first time in his fourth game as United boss.
The Portuguese manager said: “The set pieces changed the game. We could’ve been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box.
“Until the set pieces the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides, the set pieces killed the game.
“They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it’s almost impossible to fight for the ball but we have to manage to defend them and we already know we have to be better.
“We were committed and we lost to the set pieces. If Matthijs [de Ligt] can score in that moment the momentum would be different.
“We tried to play but they are a very organised team and it’s hard to score. I felt the players were in control of the game, the set pieces changed the game in the second half.”
Rice on title race: ‘We’ll see what happens’
Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle saw Arsenal reduce the gap at the top of the table to seven points on Wednesday night.
An unconvincing run, coupled with Liverpool’s dominant form, had seen many write the North Londoners off in the title race but Rice believes it is far from finished.
He added: “When you have a blip in the league you get written off. We stick together as a group and we knew the run of results were not good enough, now we’re starting to see a turn of that.
“People get carried away. You just need to be around it in February time. Liverpool have dropped points, they’re seven away so we will see what happens.”
