No team in the Premier League has scored more open-play goals than Arsenal throughout the month of November.
Arsenal Lead Premier League With Most Open Play Goals in November
Dubbed ‘Set Piece FC’ by many due to their prowess in scoring from corners and free kicks, Arsenal are proving that they are able to adapt as they lead the Premier League with the most goals from open play throughout the month of November thus far.
The Gunners have scored eight goals in three matches, with seven being from open play.
Only Nottingham Forest and West Ham match Arsenal’s goal tally this month. However, three of Forest’s eight goals have come from set-pieces, along with four of the Hammers’ eight.
The Gunners’ latest clash ended in a 4-1 win over Tottenham, in which Eberechi Eze scored the first North London derby hat-trick in Premier League history.
All four of their goals came from open play as Mikel Arteta’s side moved six points clear at the table’s summit.
It follows on from a 2-2 draw against Sunderland, where both goals were scored in open play, and a 2-0 win away at Burnley, where one of the two goals came during an open play scenario.
Arsenal’s only set-piece goal in November came courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres at Turf Moor. The now-injured Swede headed home from close range following a corner to put his side in front.
In total, the Gunners have scored 12 goals from set-piece situations this term. A total of 10 of those have come from corners and free kicks, and a further two have come from the penalty spot.
This means that 50% of their goals in the league this season have come via set-pieces.
Their output from open play is only likely to increase over the coming weeks too, with their star set-piece goalscorer Gabriel set for a spell on the sidelines due to a groin injury.
Arteta has confirmed that the Brazilian, who has two goals and two assists from centre-back this term, is ‘out for a few weeks’. He joins the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Gyokeres on the north London club’s treatment table for the foreseeable.
What Next For Arsenal?
Up next for Arsenal is some continental action, as they welcome Bundesliga table-toppers Bayern Munich to the Emirates on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Both sides boast perfect records in the competition thus far, having won four from four. The Bavarians sit first in the table, while the Gunners are behind on goal difference in second.
Following that crucial clash, they return to league action with a trip to Chelsea.
The Blues have won all three of their Premier League matches in November and are one of the most in-form sides in the division, therefore a trip to Stamford Bridge poses a tough task.
Should Arteta’s men prevail though, they will move at least seven points clear at the top.
Based on current standings and projections, Arsenal are set to win the Premier League title with the lowest points tally since Leicester’s iconic title-winning season in 2015/16.
To round off the calendar year, the Gunners face league clashes against Brentford, Villa, Wolves, Everton and Brighton, a cup tie against Palace and a European clash against Club Brugge.
