Thomas Tuchel is borrowing from Mikel Arteta’s playbook. England’s head coach, preparing for the World Cup in the United States, has made set-pieces a key focus after studying Arsenal’s dead-ball dominance. The Gunners scored 19 goals from corners in the Premier League last season, en route to their first league title in 22 years, and Tuchel wants that threat for his own side.
“We have specialists with us for all different scenarios,” Tuchel said after naming his squad. “We always said we want to be a strong set-piece team so we have specialists for that.”
“Tuchel replicates Arsenal's set-piece success; Anderson nears British transfer record as window opens.”
Arsenal supplied more players for England’s World Cup squad than any other club, and Tuchel is leaning on their expertise. Declan Rice, guaranteed to start, is one of Europe’s best ball strikers – his corners have been a major weapon for Arsenal. Reece James, expected to be first-choice right-back, was coached by Tuchel at Chelsea and is another likely taker. Bukayo Saka’s dead-ball ability is also valued, though the England camp is managing his ongoing tendonitis complaint.
England’s physicality adds to the set-piece threat. In their last warm-up match, against Costa Rica, only two of the 10 outfield starters – Reece James and Elliot Anderson – were under 6ft.
Anderson, however, is at the centre of a different story. The summer transfer window opened today, and the Nottingham Forest midfielder is expected to become the most expensive English footballer in history. Manchester City have already had a bid rejected, believed to be just short of £125m, with Forest demanding payment in full. City’s neighbours, Manchester United, have so far distanced themselves but could emerge if City walk away. The longer Anderson remains at Forest, the more his price could rise with World Cup displays.
Morgan Rogers, another England squad member, is also in high demand, with elite clubs including champions Arsenal circling.
Tuchel has huge calls to make as England prepare for their Group L opener against Croatia. Whether exploiting set-pieces or managing transfer-market distractions, his squad carries the weight of Arsenal’s recent success – and the expectations that come with it.