Bukayo Saka has been told he wouldn't get into Tony Pulis' vintage Stoke City side, with the comparison to Arsenal labelled "disrespectful".
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Arsenal hailed as new set-piece kingsSaka told he wouldn't get into old Stoke side"Disrespectful" to compare to Pulis' teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 in midweek with two goals from corners, ex-Red Devils forward Dimitar Berbatov quipped that the Gunners were like Pulis' Stoke in the Premier League between 2008-13.
The Bulgarian told Amazon Prime: "As we joke, Arsenal is the new Stoke City, right? Depending on set-pieces, which can give you the win, as it was today (Wednesday)."
Now, former Watford striker Troy Deeney says that comparison is "lazy" and that limiting Pulis' Stoke side to a set-piece outfit is not on. He added that Saka wouldn't get into that Stoke team because it is a "completely different style", rather than him not being good enough.
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In a column for , he said: "If anything, it is really disrespectful to Tony. He did a wonderful job with a bang-average Stoke team keeping them in the Premier League — and yet it was ONLY because of their set-pieces? And why is there a stigma attached to it? Maybe everyone should play wonderful football like at Southampton — then get hammered for being bottom?
"I was there on Wednesday. It was a sh*t game which Mikel Arteta and his side won from two corners. I played against Pulis’ Stoke and they were nothing like Arsenal of today. Bukayo Saka wouldn’t get into that Stoke team. Not because he isn’t good enough but because it is a completely different style.
"But God forbid a team gets in the box and wants to head a ball — compared to a United team that didn’t want to head anything.
"I loved Berbatov as a player, he is a real football man. But it feels a lazy comparison from a really smart guy just to protect his old club. If United won 2-0 from two corners, would Berbatov call it a tactical masterclass? Yet, when Arsenal do it, it’s Stoke? Arsenal dominated possession for most of that game, too. It’s called winning football."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal are leading the Premier League in set-piece goals since the start of last season (22) but it would be wrong to say they rely solely on that to win games. In response, manager Mikel Arteta said he wants his side to be the "kings of everything".
He told reporters: "Well we want to be the kings of everything. On set pieces, the best in the world, high press, the best in the world, attacking in open spaces, the best in the world. Best atmosphere and stadium, the best at everything.
"Before it was about we didn't score enough, we were soft defending, we didn't have mentality, we weren't physical enough, we couldn't challenge the top teams. We want to be the best at everything. The best academy, the best individual development for players. We want to be the best of the best. Recruit the best players, the best coaches, that's the aim."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Arteta's Arsenal will hope to continue their winning run when they travel to London neighbours Fulham on Sunday, in a battle between third and sixth respectively in the Premier League.
