Arsenal use Dubai to search for key part to title puzzle

Gunners work on regaining set-piece crown during trip

- Simon Collings

AFTER three defeats on the spin, there was plenty for Arsenal to work on during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

A two-week winter break has given Mikel Arteta's squad a much-needed chance to recharge, and they returned home late on Tuesday night after eight useful days in the Middle East.

The break in the calendar has allowed Arsenal to address some of the issues that have derailed their season - and set-pieces is a key area where they must get back on track.

Arsenal have scored 11 goals from attacking set-pieces in the Premier League this season, the joint-most along with Everton. They conceded just one goal from corners in their first 14 Premier League games but have since shipped four in the past six matches.

Fatigue has played a part in that drop-off, which was underlined by the way Konstantinos Mavropanos lost Oleksandr Zinchenko to power home a header during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat by West Ham. The Gunners also conceded a scrappy goal from a corner in their 2-1 loss at Fulham.

Arteta knows his side need to stop the rot if they are to get their title bid back on track, starting with Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace.

Able to intensify their training sessions in a sunnier climate, Arsenal worked on both their attacking and defensive set-piece routines in Dubai.