Arteta Hits Back at Critics Over Arsenal's Set-Piece Dependence
Mikel Arteta has strongly defended Arsenal's reliance on set-pieces, expressing disappointment that his team does not score even more goals from dead-ball situations. The Arsenal manager's comments come amid growing criticism of the Premier League leaders' tactical approach, with some pundits labeling their style as unattractive.
Record-Breaking Set-Piece Success
Arsenal's effectiveness from set-pieces has been a significant factor in their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. During their recent 2-1 victory against Chelsea, the Gunners scored two goals from corners, equaling the Premier League season record of 16 set-piece goals. This achievement highlights the meticulous work of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who has transformed Arsenal into one of the most dangerous teams from dead-ball situations.
Criticism from Pundits and Coaches
The debate about whether set-pieces are diminishing football's entertainment value has intensified recently. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, who won the Premier League with Blackburn, stated that Arsenal would be the "ugliest" champions if they secure the title this season. Meanwhile, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot revealed he no longer enjoys watching some Premier League matches due to the increasing emphasis on set-piece tactics.
Arteta remains unapologetic about his team's approach, focusing instead on improving their efficiency. "I'm upset that we don't score more, and that we concede as well," he said before Arsenal's match against Brighton. "We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game, and that's the trajectory and the aim of this team."
Arteta's Philosophical Defense
When asked about the criticism directed at Arsenal's style of play, Arteta described it as "part of the job." He emphasized that modern football requires adaptation to various tactical approaches, including set-pieces. The Arsenal manager pointed to other top teams like Chelsea and Manchester United, who also score frequently from dead-ball situations, as evidence that this is a league-wide trend.
Arteta, who worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking the Arsenal job, agrees with his former mentor's perspective that teams should focus on adapting to set-piece strategies rather than complaining about them. "Now teams are adapting," Arteta noted. "Chelsea, look at the quality that they have, the amount of set-pieces they score. Manchester United as well. I was at Man City, I used to work a lot on them."
Rejecting the "Ugly" Label
Arteta directly addressed Sutton's characterization of Arsenal as potential "ugly" champions, questioning the distinction between different types of goals. "I don't know how you celebrate one goal different to another one," he said. "Maybe for YouTube it's nicer one or another. I don't know."
The Spanish manager offered a pragmatic view of modern football, suggesting that those seeking purely aesthetic football might need to look elsewhere. "I would like to play with three players extra in my own half to get some beautiful football. This is not the reality of football. If you want to watch that football, you have to go to a different country because in the Premier League, for the last two seasons or three seasons, this is not the case."
Arteta's defiant stance underscores his commitment to winning through whatever means necessary, positioning set-pieces as a legitimate and crucial aspect of Arsenal's title challenge rather than a stylistic compromise.
