Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness believes that Arsenal are cheating in their set-piece strategy.
He was particularly incensed by Ben White’s tendency to get too close to opposition goalkeepers. Souness pointed out White's antics with Tottenham Hotspur man Guglielmo Vicario, and ‘obstructing’ goalkeepers from making saves.
In his column for the Daily Mail, he wrote: “Forget Arsenal's set-piece genius - what Ben White is doing at corners is cheating and I don't know why refs can't see it.
“We are witnessing a stealthy, very deliberate, strategy from Arsenal – and Ben White in particular – to obstruct goalkeepers in a way which will avoid detection by the referees.
“Might I suggest the referees consult their own little FA rule books for a definition of that term? Law 12 states, in black and white, that obstruction is ‘moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.
“Set-piece genius’. This blocking by players from set-pieces is more prevalent than ever before, which presents a challenge for referees. But Arsenal do this every game and it’s always by White, so the penny should have dropped long ago.”
Souness seems to be suffering from a case of sour grapes, after watching Arsenal topple over Liverpool in the Premier League and still going strong at the top of the league table.
While White can be a nuisance in the box, he never fouls any opposition players during set-pieces. Moreover, VAR would pick up any illegal he does and cancel out goals if needed.
Arsenal have scored an impressive 22 goals from set-pieces so far in the 2023/24 Premier League season, the most for any side in the division.
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