[BBC]

Over the past few seasons, we have got used to Arsenal scoring from set-pieces.

Jack-in-the-box set-piece coach Nicolas Jover jumps up, Bukayo Saka or Declan Rice swings in one of those menacing corners and Gabriel/William Saliba/Thomas Partey marmalises the defenders to head in.

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But it’s not been the same story from free-kicks.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta said last night that Arsenal had not scored directly from a free-kick since October 2021.

While not strictly true, Bukayo Saka’s strike that went all the way in against Paris St-Germain from out on the touchline should probably be ruled out as against the spirit of these things!

Prior to that, it was indeed three and a half years ago, when Martin Odegaard bent in against Burnley at Turf Moor.

And he’s kept trying ever since.

In fact, it has been 30 attempts without success for the Arsenal captain since then – put somewhat to shame by the ridiculous quality demonstrated by Rice against Real Madrid for two goals on Wednesday evening.

Probably time for the Norway midfielder to hand over the baton.