Gilberto Silva gives verdict on controversial Arsenal trend continuing at World Cup

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Gilberto Silva insists set pieces will “not be the main weapon” at the World Cup this summer.

Former Arsenal midfielder Silva will be on FIFA’s technical study group for the tournament and believes national coaches will not have enough time to work on corners and free kicks to make them as effective.

World Cup winner Silva has seen his old club dominate the Premier League title race this season using set pieces to great effect even if it has been a turn-off for some fans.

Ex-Brazil star Silva said: “Arsenal have got good centre-backs with Gabriel and Willian Saliba but I’m not sure if the World Cup is going to be the same as you do not have so much time to prepare teams for the tournament.

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“Of course it can be a weapon and you can use it but I’m not sure it will be the main one. I think the games may be tight and they may use transitions and other methods to break through. But I don’t think the set-piece is going to be the main aspect at this World Cup.”

FIFA are expected to clamp down on grappling and wrestling at corners which have been such a feature at the World Cup with referees likely to pay extra attention.

The technical study group will provide insights on tactical trends which will be available via an app for fans for the first time as well as players.

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Arsene Wenger , FIFA’s chief of global football development, will head up the group which will include Silva, Otto Addo (Ghana), Tobin Heath (USA), Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), Jayne Ludlow (Wales), Michael O’Neill (Northern Ireland), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Denmark), Paulo Wanchope (Costa Rica), Aron Winter (Netherlands) and Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina).

The panel will be led by FIFA senior football expert Pascal Zuberbühler and lead of football performance insights Tom Gardner and supported by a team of football analysts, data engineers, data scientists and performance analysts based on-site in Miami and Dallas and off-site in Manchester ( United Kingdom ).

Silva also suggested the cooling breaks in either half during the World Cup will be vital for managers and coaches. He added: “I’m sure in this moment it will be a special opportunity for coaches because previously they could only speak to players at half time and now they have two more chances to speak to the players so it could be important.”

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