Ben White’s dark arts and targeting Vicario: Inside Arsenal’s set-piece mastery

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

Ben White tugs on the goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s right glove in the build-up to Arsenal’s first goal on Sunday – Sky Sports

Ben White did not score either goal, and the records will show that he did not register an assist either. But for both of Arsenal’s set-piece goals in the first half of Sunday’s north London derby, the right-back played a crucial role.

White is Arsenal’s master of the “dark arts” and he was up to his usual tricks against Tottenham Hotspur when his sly work in the six-yard box helped Mikel Arteta’s side to take control of the match.

Sneaky, cunning, clever. Whatever word you want to use for it — and Spurs fans might want to use a few others — there can be no denying that White’s antics had a significant impact as Arsenal struck twice from inswinging corners in the space of just 23 minutes.

Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1 – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own-goal (15min)

White’s dark arts

Arsenal clearly decided to target Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from set pieces, and White – as he has done all season – was deputed to make himself a nuisance to the opposition goalkeeper.

Normally he simply backs into them, but on this occasion he did so in an unusual fashion: by trying to take off the goalkeepers gloves. Vicario shook him off, but it certainly caught the eye before White backed away as the corner was about to be delivered.‌

The delivery, movement and end result

Arsenal almost exclusively deploy in-swinging corners, with Bukayo Saka providing on this occasion. The movement was from far post to near, but the key man largely stayed still with Takehiro Tomiyasu remaining where he was to ensure Hojbjerg could not get a proper contact on the ball. The Danish midfielder still tried to clear but could only succeed in deflecting the ball into his own net with Vicario – on his line – helpless.

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

Ben White

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

Ben White

‌Tottenham 0 Arsenal 3 – Kai Havertz (38 min)

White’s dark arts

There are two moments where White gets under Vicario’s skin. The first sees the goalkeeper throw an arm at the defender, to force him away. White accepts the push, but bides his time – and then, shortly before the corner comes in, he barges the goalkeeper with Vicario ending up behind his goal-line. That ensures the Italian is in no possession to make a save if required.

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

White push on goalkeeper Vicario

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

White push on goalkeeper Vicario

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

White push on goalkeeper Vicario

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

White push on goalkeeper Vicario

The delivery, movement and end result

Declan Rice – having ignored some taunts from Tottenham fans – delivered another in-swinging corner just beyond the near post. Arsenal’s players had gathered at the back post but rushed forward, with Kai Havertz among them. The volume of players moving forwards meant Dejan Kulusevski, who appeared to be marking Havertz, was blocked off by his own team-mate, Ben Davies. That ensured Havertz had a free header which, with Vicario behind his own line (see below), he could not miss.

ben white’s dark arts and targeting vicario: inside arsenal’s set-piece mastery

White push on goalkeeper Vicario

The end result

Arsenal’s success from corners was based on three things – excellent in-swinging delivery, clever movement and White’s dark arts. It was a potent combination that has done so much to boost their title charge.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles – and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.

OTHER NEWS

23 minutes ago

Peter Dutton reveals intent to cut migration and support first-home buyers

23 minutes ago

How relevance deprivation syndrome has liberated me in my retirement

23 minutes ago

'Let Them Be Kids': New youth campaign tackles dangers of social media

23 minutes ago

Video: Candid Aussie reveals surprise job that pays $50 an hour - and only requires one week of training and no degree

25 minutes ago

Boxing-Usyk beats Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champ

25 minutes ago

Simbine registers fastest 100m of season, Lyles superb in 150m

25 minutes ago

Irish business tycoon and rugby record breaker Tony O'Reilly dies at 88

28 minutes ago

Golden girl! Cate Blanchett stuns in a puffy metallic gown as she attends Cannes Film Festival - before getting a four-minute standing ovation for new film Rumours

28 minutes ago

Sam Kerr wins fifth straight WSL title with Chelsea - as Mary Fowler endures public heartbreak

28 minutes ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges to keep bussing migrants to NYC: ‘Mayor Adams needs something to do’

29 minutes ago

Actress Lucy Punch will reunite with Dame Joanna Lumley for Motherland spin-off

29 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major-championship scoring record with 62 and makes biggest move on Moving Day at 2024 PGA Championship

29 minutes ago

‘Emilia Pérez' Review: Leading Lady Karla Sofía Gascón Electrifies in Jacques Audiard's Mexican Redemption Musical

29 minutes ago

Six of the best: Manchester City’s mainstays who have gone distance

29 minutes ago

Dublin’s hopes broken by Eoin Cody’s saving grace as Kilkenny get back on track

30 minutes ago

Streep, Gerwig shine on Cannes red carpet

31 minutes ago

Tyson Fury accuses judges of helping Oleksandr Usyk win because Ukraine is ‘at war’

32 minutes ago

Police arrest suspect in 1989 cold case killing of 78-year-old Pennsylvania woman

32 minutes ago

Revered Chicago candy shop makes People magazine's summer travel bucket list

35 minutes ago

Video: Inside Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival for Oleksandr Usyk's historic victory over Tyson Fury... as the football star is welcomed by Saudi Arabia officials before taking his ringside seat

37 minutes ago

'Whether they're from Donegal or Senegal, it makes no difference': A night at the Lighthouse café

37 minutes ago

RA_17MAY24_FLV_WILLIAMS_IS_CLEAR_FAVOURITE_FOR_GOALKEEPER_OF_THE_SEASON_16-9.mp4

37 minutes ago

Hepatitis A case reported at Beverly Hills Whole Foods

37 minutes ago

Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth, Premier League: Preview, team news, how to watch

37 minutes ago

The Look Ahead: May 17, 2024

38 minutes ago

Should Your Engine Be Hot Or Cold When You Check Oil Levels?

38 minutes ago

HISD, Cy Fair ISD and Spring Branch ISD give updates on status of their schools

41 minutes ago

MCoBeauty founder Shelley Sullivan 'abruptly' splits from husband Anthony seven years after lavish wedding

43 minutes ago

Lok Sabha polls: Kharge accuses PM Modi of ‘provoking’ people, calls on ED to take action

43 minutes ago

World-first live remote muster by drone at Beef Australia 2024 a sign of thing to come for cattle industry

43 minutes ago

Depleted Bristol beat Harlequins in thriller as both teams miss semi-finals spots

43 minutes ago

Best beach cover ups: sarongs, kaftans and more

43 minutes ago

Does servicing outside your dealership void your warranty?

43 minutes ago

Rep. Ritchie Torres talks lithium-ion battery safety legislation

43 minutes ago

After five years, three bridges and two floods, a permanent Mersey River crossing is now open

43 minutes ago

Shane Lowry ties major championship record, shoots 9-under 62 at the PGA

43 minutes ago

Donald Trump attends youngest son's graduation

43 minutes ago

Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Sullivan to coach U.S. Olympic men's hockey team in 2026

46 minutes ago

‘The Balconettes’ Review: A Very Bloody, Somewhat Didactic, Game – Cannes Film Festival

46 minutes ago

Will Quebec’s forest fire season be as bad as it was last year?

Kênh khám phá trải nghiệm của giới trẻ, thế giới du lịch