Jussi Jaaskelainen has questions and solutions to Arsenal set-pieces

Former Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has both questions and solutions to the incredible record Arsenal have with set-pieces this season.

• "Aaron [Ramsdale] and my son were close friends growing up, and they played together for a couple of years in Bolton's academy, and because Aaron's parents lived in the Midlands, quite often he would stay at my house. The boys were always playing football in the garden, and obviously I would get involved with them."
• [Arsenal set-pieces] "Look, for me, I'm studying them closely, and I'd love to ask a referee how much they're allowed to do what they're doing, particularly with goalkeepers - you know, blocking, pushing, to create space. They're blocking the keeper, and I'm not sure where the limit is on that front."
• "You need to keep them high and out of the way, but above everything I just think you need to be aggressive; if someone's coming in hard at you, you need to be harder. I don't think, for example, anyone likes it if you're feeling a goalkeeper's glove in your face, so maybe that's how you fight back a little."
• "It's down to fine details at this point - getting them right and getting them wrong is the difference between winning and losing. Look, they're already up there already, so you can imagine, a 20-goal-a-season striker would put them very, very close to the title."
• [On Will Jaaskelainen] "Luckily for Will, though, he found Woking in 2023 and he played a full season last season. Mentally, for him, it was tough to go and play in the National League, because he thinks that he's a level above that. But, I always say to him that he just needs to go and play football, because he's not going to improve without playing."
  

Aaron [Ramsdale] and my son were close friends growing up, and they played together for a couple of years in Bolton's academy, and because Aaron's parents lived in the Midlands, quite often he would stay at my house. The boys were always playing football in the garden, and obviously I would get involved with them. It was great, they were wonderful times for me and my family. Both boys were really nice kids, and I know Aaron is a bit of a character now, but he was a lot quieter when he was younger. 

You know, him and my son, Will, were both a little smaller than they perhaps should have been at their age, and I know the coaches at Bolton weren't really happy about that, because they couldn't kick the ball long enough. But you just need to be patient with that kind of thing, because when you see the talent they had, and then they start growing, all of a sudden, you've got some great players there. I have to say, at that time with Bolton, from a goalkeeping perspective, the coaches were very good, and it's why the boys are where they are today.

Arsenal are unbelievable from set-pieces right now, and it's something people are talking about a lot. Look, for me, I'm studying them closely, and I'd love to ask a referee how much they're allowed to do what they're doing, particularly with goalkeepers - you know, blocking, pushing, to create space. They're blocking the keeper, and I'm not sure where the limit is on that front. To be honest, I'm a little bit surprised that no pundits have really talked about that. As a player, there are a few tricks you can do to try and prevent those sort of tactics, and if you're a goalkeeper, I think the best thing to do is always to keep your hands high, because you'll see Ben White, or whoever, likes to come in and try to grab them. You need to keep them high and out of the way, but above everything I just think you need to be aggressive; if someone's coming in hard at you, you need to be harder. I don't think, for example, anyone likes it if you're feeling a goalkeeper's glove in your face, so maybe that's how you fight back a little. 

There are definitely things you can do, but there's no denying they're incredible with their set-pieces at the moment. First of all, above everything, the delivery is exceptional, all of the time. You know, they wouldn't have this record without having Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice putting the ball in those areas, every single time. 

Arsenal must feel like they've dropped two points just now, against Fulham. Fulham are having a good season at the moment, but these are the kind of games Arsenal need to be winning if they're going to challenge for the title. 

I just feel like they've really needed a striker over the last few years, and I know that's something which gets said a lot. They definitely need that number nine to complete them, and while I know there probably aren't a huge amount of number nines to choose from at the moment, if they want to step up and win trophies, that's where they need to start. It's down to fine details at this point - getting them right and getting them wrong is the difference between winning and losing. Look, they're already up there already, so you can imagine, a 20-goal-a-season striker would put them very, very close to the title. 

Mikel Arteta has done an unbelievable job, though, over the last four or five years. I've watched them as a pundit over the last few seasons, and they've just got better and better; the work the backroom staff have been doing is just unbelievable, and it's been great to follow - especially watching them get back to playing the kind of football you associate with that club, and the connection between the club and its fans.

I always try and help Will [Jaaskelainen] as much as I can. He had a good time with Crewe, when they won the league a few years back, and then he played a full season in League One before losing his place. And that summer, in 2022 was a tough one for him, because for three or four months, he didn't have a football club. 

I have to say, it's very difficult for goalkeepers at that level - around League One - to find teams and get games, because there are so many goalkeepers who step down from Premier League clubs on loan, as that's a win-win for everyone involved. The club signing the player don't have to pay any wages, and these youngsters are getting experience, which is key. And that means so much talent goes missing, because there are no opportunities. 

Luckily for Will, though, he found Woking in 2023 and he played a full season last season. Mentally, for him, it was tough to go and play in the National League, because he thinks that he's a level above that. But, I always say to him that he just needs to go and play football, because he's not going to improve without playing. He's in a good place right now, playing week-in, week-out, and he still has ambitions to go and play league football. 

I always try and watch his games on TV, either live or on the next day - I'm always trying to watch him as much as I can. It's hard finding the balance between being a dad and giving him advice as a goalkeeper! I do keep a little to the side, though, as I know how important it is to work with your coaches, so it wouldn't be fair of me to give him mixed messages. He's playing, he's happy at the moment, and hopefully he has a good season now. 

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