Burnley boss Scott Parker says Arsenal are much more than just set pieces | OneFootball

Burnley manager Scott Parker has insisted that Arsenal are not reliant on set-pieces ahead of the meeting between the two sides.

The Gunners have scored nine of their goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, but Parker says there is much more to Arsenal’s game.

“I’m not sure I see it like that,” answered Parker when asked about the narrative of Arsenal relying on set-pieces. “When I’m watching them, to be honest with you, I see a fluid team really.

“I see an unbelievably well-coached team. A team that solves situations.

“This is definitely not a team that just relies on set plays.”

The Englishman continued:  “Now, obviously, at the start of this season there’s been key moments where they’ve got wins from set plays.

“This is a well-oiled team and a functional team that are very fluid in the way they play really.

“Defensively, like you say, is really a foundation. It was probably something we lived by last year, really. It gives you a bedrock and they’ve certainly formed that.

“But, yes, for me, like I said, this is a top, top team and a well-coached team.”

Arsenal will travel to Turf Moor to take on the Clarets this Saturday. Parker continued his praise of the Premier League leaders: “I think full credit to Mikel (Arteta). 

“Like I said, there’s a lot of facets to a game of football. One is how you play attacking, defensively and set plays – and they’re ticking a lot of boxes. 

“A team that’s sitting top of the Premier League or a team like us last year, if anyone thinks that it’s because Arsenal just score from corners or us last year just got 100 points from not conceding, having this defensive bedrock, they’re so far from it really.

“There’s a lot more things that are involved in that really.”

It will be a tough test for Burnley but the Clarets are on form after winning their last two league matches.

“Well, the aim is to get a result, while of course, having the context and having an understanding of the opposition we’re up against,” Parker said.

“I think we always have a real understanding of the difficulty of this game.

“This is a top team that have been together for some time. They’re in and around the favourites to win the division this year.

“So, there’s a big, big challenge for us this week but we’ll go into this as best we can.”