Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thinks set pieces will keep being important in the Premier League until the rules change.
This season, set plays have led to 201 goals, while last season saw a total of 215 goals from set pieces.
Along with the rise in goals, there’s been more physicality during corners, where grappling has become common.
Interim Manchester United coach Michael Carrick believes this wrestling at set pieces has “gone too far.” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has asked for stricter rules and criticized Arsenal for wasting time at corners.
Mikel Arteta addresses set piece criticism
Before Arsenal’s match against Brighton on Wednesday, Arteta mentioned that other teams are adjusting to his team’s tactics.
He said, “I don’t know,” when asked if the criticism of Arsenal’s set-piece tactics is because others are trying to catch up.
He added, “As an opponent, you get upset when you concede. I was really upset with how we conceded against Chelsea. They played well and scored from many set pieces. Manchester United did the same.”
He recalled, “When I was at Manchester City, we focused a lot on them, so this is important.”
He continued, “There are moments when one team can do certain things. The game is evolving and becoming more complex.”
“Before, game plans involved tactics like inverting a full-back or adding an extra midfielder. Now teams adapt, knowing what to do after every play, whether it’s a throw-in or a restart, and it often becomes man-to-man.”
“So unless we change the rules, the game will remain similar, as that’s how it is evolving.”
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