Arsenal star Bukayo Saka says the club have been working hard on set pieces – but admitted it is “the worst” part of team training after they trounced Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Gunners won 5-0 at home with their opening two goals coming directly from corners, reflecting the preparation they put in on the training ground ahead of this match.
Gabriel Magalhães headed home both times, although his second one was ruled an own goal after going in off goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Leandro Trossard put the win beyond doubt in the 59th minute before impact substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored twice in stoppage time.
“Most games it feels like we’re going up against a low block,” Saka told TNT Sports. “The Premier League is a really physical league.
“It’s about me studying it, trying to find a solution – whether that’s dribbling, finding space or passing it.
“It hasn’t been easy but I’m still trying and we’re still doing well as a team.
“We do a lot of work on set-pieces. It’s the worst! Our set-piece coach tries to make it fun. We’re doing well and what he’s doing is working.
“We went out of the FA Cup mostly on a set-piece so we wanted to put it right today and get a clean sheet. We scored two so we’re happy.”
The result is a much needed boost for Arsenal, who had lost their previous three games. Saka hopes the team can use it as a launchpad toward challenging for the Premier League title.
“Everyone knows we lost the last three games so this one was important for us and the fans to build some momentum,” he said.
“When you look at the league table, you want to be first. You don’t want to be third, fourth of fifth. That’s my feeling personally.”
He added: “Going out of the FA Cup really hurt me so I’m sure we’ll use that to push in the Premier League and the Champions League next month.”
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