Courtois warns Real Madrid of Arsenal´s set-piece threat

Real Madrid have been putting in extra work on defending set-pieces to prepare for their clash with Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, says Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal have generated 14.29 expected goals from non-penalty set-pieces in the Premier League this season, the highest of any team, highlighting the significant threat they pose from dead-ball situations.

Indeed, since Arteta took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, they have scored 77 goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties), which ranks behind only Manchester City (82) and Liverpool (80) in that time.

And Madrid goalkeeper Courtois knows Carlo Ancelotti’s team must be resolute when defending such situations.

“We worked on it yesterday,” Courtois said.

“We know how we have to try to defend against them. The first thing is not conceding many corners.

“Then it’s about concentration, being active. Sometimes it’s about the quality of the opponent. If the ball is delivered perfectly, you can be well positioned, but it’s still hard to defend.”

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Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces has grown, especially with injuries to key attackers such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

Saka and Martinelli are back in action, in a boost to Mikel Arteta’s hopes.

However, the Gunners are missing a crucial element to their set-piece success, as Gabriel Magalhaes has been sidelined with a season-ending hamstring injury. The Brazilian is a potent threat from set-pieces and has been a mainstay in the Arsenal team since his arrival in 2020.

Madrid last faced Arsenal in the Champions League in 2006, when the Gunners advanced courtesy of a solitary Thierry Henry goal.

Since then, however, Los Blancos have added six more Champions League titles to their collection, with Arsenal yet to win the trophy.

“We have a lot of respect for Arsenal,” Courtois said. “I have a lot of friends who are Arsenal fans. I know they’ve been doing great in the Premier League. They’re a young team, a strong defence, on the counter and set pieces.

“I think Arsenal are doing great. It’s a matter of time before they win a trophy.”