The genius Ben White Arsenal set-piece change which fooled Tottenham to comply with new rules

At the start of the Premier League season, new rules were implemented which quickly gained traction because of their specificity and link to Arsenal defender Benjamin White. The Gunners full-back has made a name for himself over the past few seasons for his behaviour from set-pieces.

The Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has given very specific instructions to all the Arsenal players involved in the processes of each kick. The result has been the club becoming one of the most potent threats from corners and free-kicks and one of the most stringent at defending them too.

White was often seen positioned near the goalkeeper and has been pictured holding on to or even trying to undo the goalkeeper’s gloves. A Leandro Trossard stunner was ruled out in a clash with Leicester because VAR spotted White holding Danny Ward’s gloves.

The new rule as reported by The Times at the beginning of the season stated that: “The offence of holding (ie blocking or obstructing) will be penalised more stringently in set pieces when an attacker is trying to stop the movement of an opponent.” As a result, White was watched closely by football.londonwhile covering matches and it was apparent that his role had indeed changed and he was not so obviously obstructing the goalkeeper.

Last weekend’s North London Derby however revealed a brand new tactic that was used to directly impact the goal being scored by Gabriel Magalhaes. All the focus was on the debate whether the Brazilian had fouled Cristian Romero in the build-up and also whether Micky van de Ven was holding onto William Saliba too strongly.

However, what has since been spotted in the build-up is the movement of Ben White during the play. He is being initially marked by James Maddison but as the cross runs in, the Spurs player who clearly knows White wants to get close to the goalkeeper and has been tasked with stopping him, follows White in and puts himself between the Arsenal man and Guglielmo Vicario.

As a result, however, White knows this and uses Maddison to prevent Vicario from moving without coming into contact with the Italian himself. Gabriel therefore after losing Romero with that now infamous nudge makes space to have a clear unchallenged header which he plants into the middle of the net and the goalkeeper, already being restricted in his movement, is unable to react fast enough to make the stop.

This was spotted by fans after the game and images have quickly circulated around social media. For those concerned that this is unveiling an Arsenal tactic that has worked to their benefit, if we’ve spotted it and fans have spotted it, you can be sure the wee-paid analysts of Manchester City and fellow Premier League and Champions League clubs will have spotted it too…

Jover has mastered the art of set pieces time after time and fans can rest assured that he will again come up with some new techniques across the season. There will be few chances for Arsenal at City this weekend and using these rare moments might indeed be the difference.