Frank: Arsenal are best set-piece team in the world | OneFootball

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said that his side are coming up against "the best set-piece team in the world" when they face Arsenal on New Year's Day.

The Bees begin 2025 by welcoming a Gunners side who sit third in the Premier League to Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm GMT).

Arsenal, who travel across the capital on the back of successive victories against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town over the Christmas period, scored 22 goals from set-pieces during last campaign.

Their excellence from dead-ball situations has continued this term with former Bees set-piece coach Nicolas Jover now at the Gunners, with nine goals scored in their first 18 games, which equates to over a quarter of their total tally.

"Arsenal is the best set-piece team not only in the Premier League but in the world right now," said Frank.

“They are so aggressive and they are well-coached - but we are also good at set-pieces and we will be ready.

"We are good at defending corners. As far as I know, we have only conceded from one corner so far - which was a short corner against Bournemouth - in the Premier League this season.

"We defend very well so we trust our own processes but, of course, with huge respect to Arsenal and what they can come with.

"We know we need to play our 'A' game; not just in set-pieces but with every aspect of the game."

Mikel Arteta's team have only lost twice all season but sit nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, who won 5-0 at West Ham on Sunday evening.

Given the success Arne Slot's Reds have enjoyed so far, Frank feels that the Gunners' form has gone slightly unnoticed.

"We’re facing a very good Arsenal team," the Bees' head coach continued.

“In a way, I think they’ve gone under the radar because there is so much talk about Manchester City and Manchester United - and Liverpool, of course, because they are doing fantastically. Also Chelsea who are maybe doing better than people expected.

“They have performed consistently well, Arsenal. They look so competitive in every area. They defend well, they attack well, they’re fantastic on set-pieces; it’s going to be a tough test.

“But we are at home, we’ll put a competitive team out there, and we’ll do whatever we can to try and win the game."