‘Arsenal are the new Stoke City’ – Tony Pulis issues vindicated response

Tony Pulis has issued a vindicated response after Arsenal were dubbed “the new Stoke City” by former Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov.

The Gunners have scored right set piece goals in the Premier League so far this season, the joint-most of any club, including two during their win over Man Utd at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

Set piece coach Nicolas Jover has introduced several ground-breaking corner routines over the past few months, and Arsenal have become almost an unstoppable force from corners as a result.

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Following goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba on Wednesday, ex-Man Utd star Berbatov told Amazon Prime Video: “As we joke, Arsenal are the new Stoke City, right? Depending on set pieces, which can give you the win, as it was today.”

Stoke were known for their set piece threat under Pulis’ management, with Rory Delap’s long throw-in a major weapon in their armoury during the 2010s.

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What has Tony Pulis said?

Former Stoke and West Brom manager Pulis responded to comparisons with Arsenal during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

“They get it now,” Pulis admitted (as per The Mirror). “What I would say, and I want to make this clear, is that I think for corners – and we were very, very good at set plays at Stoke – but for corners, it was one season at West Brom when we scored the highest number of goals (from corners).

“All the teams I’ve been at, most have been good at set plays, which is such an important part of the game, as Arsenal are showing, and I think it’s coming more into fashion now with people having set play coaches up and down the country.

“I was aware of how important those different situations would be to a team that was just coming into the Premier League and having to survive in the Premier League.

“The quality of the balls in are absolutely fantastic. Then you’ve got to have people who want to attack the ball and want to score. Arsenal have got that in abundance.”