Ben White might have to adjust his well-known corner strategies for Arsenal due to a recent rule change.
In the past, White’s tactics during set pieces, particularly his interactions with opposing goalkeepers, have become notorious. The England international has often positioned himself close to the keeper, sometimes even grabbing their arms. This behavior has occasionally led to controversy, like when a goal was disallowed against Leicester because White held onto Danny Ward’s hand just as Leandro Trossard struck from outside the box. However, there have also been instances where White’s presence has contributed to Arsenal’s goals.
The updated rules now place greater emphasis on penalizing players for holding, blocking, and obstructing opponents during set pieces. This means White may need to reconsider his approach in these situations. With the start of the Premier League season, fans will be keen to see how these rule changes play out, especially when Arsenal faces Wolves. White, given his reputation, will be under close scrutiny from both spectators and officials.
Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s set-piece coach, has been innovative in developing new strategies for these moments. If there’s anyone who can adapt Arsenal’s approach to corners and free-kicks under the new rules, it’s likely to be Jover, with White remaining a key figure in these plans.
