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Set-pieces are a very important part of football. Scoring from open play requires teams to play expansive football. Each pass in a move needs to be measured and well-timed. Teams need creative players who can help breach the opposition defence and find a route to goal.
Set-piece specialists are a crucial part of any team
Set-pieces offer a much more direct route to the back of the net. Set-pieces include penalties, corner kicks, free-kicks and throw-ins. Players get to take up positions in dangerous areas and all that needs to happen for a team to score is for a good delivery to be met with a quality finish.
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All the other complications that come with trying to score from open play can easily be circumvented via set-pieces. The Premier League has always had exceptional set-piece takers.
David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Robin van Persie, Thierry Henry, Matt Le Tissier and Gianfranco Zola are a few legends who were exceptional at taking set-pieces.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the best set-piece takers in the Premier League this season.
#5 Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Martin Odegaard is a technically gifted footballer. Arsenal desperately needed a creative force in midfield and they signed the Norwegian international from Real Madrid on a deal worth €35 million this past summer.
The 23-year-old has been a key figure in Arsenal's resurgence this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 18 Premier League appearances. One of the best aspects of Odegaard's game is his set-piece delivery.
He scored a brilliant free-kick against Burnley in a 1-0 win earlier in the season. He has produced nine accurate indirect set-piece deliveries that led to a shot this term in the Premier League. One of them has resulted in a goal.
#4 Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
It's safe to say now that Marcos Alonso has revived his Chelsea career under Thomas Tuchel. The German coach's use of wing-backs has helped breathe new life into the Spaniard and he has been a key player for the Blues over the past year.
One of Alonso's main strengths is his set-piece ability. He is one of Chelsea's primary free-kick takers. The 31-year-old scored from a direct free-kick against Crystal Palace. He can also whip in some beauties from dead-ball situations.
Seven of his dead-ball deliveries have led to a shot, while one has resulted in a goal as well. He generates plenty of power and swing on the ball from deadball scenarios and it's a treat when one of those end up in the back of the net.
#3 Raphinha (Leeds United)
Raphinha has been a guiding light for Leeds United this season. The Brazilian has almost single-handedly kept Marcelo Biesla's men out of the relegation battle with his heroics. He is one of the most talented attackers in the English top-flight right now.
Raphinha is a technically gifted winger with a well-rounded skillset. In addition to being a great ball progressor and brilliant passer, Raphinha is also excellent at set-pieces. He has already scored one direct free-kick this season.
He is usually placed on set-piece duty and has delivered 15 accurate balls from dead-ball situations that led to a shot.
#2 James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
James Ward-Prowse has been the undisputed king of set-pieces in the Premier League in recent times. The Southampton captain has been phenomenal from dead-ball situations and has time and again been a difference maker for his side.
He has scored one direct free-kick this season. Ward-Prowse is the go-to man for all set-piece needs as far as the Saints are concerned. 18 of his set-piece deliveries have led to a shot, one of which has resulted in a goal.
Ward-Prowse's set-piece delivery is all about precision. He is always trying to find the top corner from direct free-kicks and executes them to perfection quite often. Southampton have struggled as a unit this term which has caused them to rely on Ward-Prowse's set-piece abilities and he has done a pretty good job so far.
#1 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Never mind being one of the best full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best players in the Premier League right now. The Liverpool youngster is one of the finest passers in the game and is the creator-in-chief for Liverpool despite playing at right-back.
His passing range is incredible and that translates to his free-kicks as well. Alexander-Arnold is a genuine threat from dead-ball situations. He has scored one direct free-kick in the ongoing season. It was a sublime finish in a 3-2 loss against West Ham United.
The 23-year-old can whip in some wonderful crosses from the right flank as well. He can do the same from corners and Alexander-Arnold's delivery is one of the main reasons why Liverpool are the most dominant unit from set-pieces in the league.
The Englishman's stats speak for themselves. He has produced 32 accurate deadball deliveries this season that led to a shot thius term. That's as many as he conjured in the entirety of the 2020-21 season. Four of those 32 have resulted in a goal.
