Arsenal have yet to score a direct free-kick this season as it continues to be a feat that has eluded them for over two years now. While it is a rare occurrence in football, the Gunners no doubt need it in their arsenal to ensure they are not lacking in goals whilst in contention for the Premier League.
Having said that, their recent slip-ups in the title race have come due to being ineffective in the final third and Mikel Arteta seems determined to right the wrongs this time around. It has now emerged that free-kick training was carried out by the Gunners in Wednesday’s session.
Gunners gear up for free-kick glory?
Raheem Sterling was among those who attempted to find the back of the net alongside 17-year-old academy prospect Ethan Nwaneri. Among those watching from the sidelines were Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard, all of whom have rendered inefficient from free-kick attempts.
Free kick training was center of practice today . Arsenal have not scored a direct free kick in over two seasons .
– Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri held court as Saka and Trossard and Jesus watched on .
Sterling has definitely added this tool to the Gunners belt .… pic.twitter.com/zBtmzlsvJJ
— Arteta’s Red Army #ArsenalFanaticsNews (@Arsenal23Wenger) September 18, 2024
Free-kick training is a key part of training sessions at some of the world’s biggest clubs like Manchester City and Real Madrid, therefore it is great to see Arsenal also integrating it into their training plan, although perhaps it is arguable that such a drill is slightly too late in comparison to other teams.
Sterling has had his fair share of free-kick goals in the past and Arteta will hope the Englishman can strike the ball sweetly from a few faces out during matches. The former Liverpool star joins on loan from Chelsea with a point to prove and is undoubtedly going to be a differential for the Gunners this year.
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At the same time, it is a bit puzzling that Arsenal have not scored a free-kick for as long as two years, but also goes on to prove how much of a part fortune plays. Martin Odegaard is a capable striker of the ball from range, as are the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, yet a goal from a direct free-kick seems to elude Arsenal.
