Arsenal have emerged as the undisputed masters of set-piece execution in the Premier League this season, with a remarkable 19 goals scored from corners across all competitions. This tactical prowess has become a cornerstone of their success, contributing significantly to their league position and overall attacking threat.
The Architects of Delivery: Rice and Saka's Precision
Much of Arsenal's effectiveness from dead-ball situations can be attributed to the consistent quality of their primary corner takers. Declan Rice, operating from the left with his right foot, has created eight goals from corners, while Bukayo Saka, providing left-footed deliveries from the right, has contributed five. A striking 81% of Arsenal's corners are in-swinging deliveries, a statistically more potent approach than out-swinging alternatives.
This aggressive stance marks a deliberate tactical choice by manager Mikel Arteta. While he learned under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, where out-swinging or short corners are often favoured to maintain possession, Arteta has implemented a more direct and threatening methodology. The focus is squarely on creating immediate goal-scoring opportunities through precise, whipped-in balls.
Old-School Methods with Modern Execution
Arsenal's set-piece strategy is grounded in traditional, physical principles. Approximately three-quarters of their corner deliveries are aimed directly at the six-yard box, inviting aerial contests. Despite ranking only 15th in the league for average player height, the Gunners have assembled a cadre of tall, imposing defenders specifically effective in these situations.
Typically, at least three members of Arteta's back four are involved in corner routines. William Saliba often has the specific task of disrupting the opposition goalkeeper, a tactic successfully employed for the winning goal at Old Trafford in August. This physical approach has drawn comments from rivals, with former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim noting that Arsenal seem "allowed to do a lot of things at the corners."
Strategic Variety and Controlled Chaos
While the direct ball to leaping centre-backs is a reliable tactic, variety is essential to maintain effectiveness. Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover meticulously curates the finer details of Arsenal's approach. The system does not rely solely on Rice and Saka; Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke have also created goals from corners this season.
Deliveries are strategically mixed, with a fairly even spread between balls into the central area (37%), near post (23%), and far post (15%). This distribution is mirrored in where goals are scored: 10 from central areas, eight at the near post, and six at the far post. This unpredictability makes defending against Arsenal's corners exceptionally challenging.
A Multitude of Threats
Although Gabriel Magalhães has been a dominant aerial presence with four set-piece goals, Arsenal are not reliant on any single finisher. Remarkably, 11 other teammates have also scored from dead-ball situations this season, including free-kicks and penalties. This points to another critical factor: intelligent off-the-ball movement.
A common tactic involves a group of three players making coordinated runs from the far post across the six-yard box, creating confusion and disrupting defensive markers. This was exemplified in the Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, where Jurriën Timber headed home from such a scenario.
Creating and Capitalising on Defensive Panic
By varying starting positions, applying pressure on the goalkeeper, and mixing delivery directions, Arsenal engineer a level of controlled chaos that proves highly advantageous. The Gunners have scored seven goals this season from knock-downs, flick-ons, or goalmouth scrambles following set pieces.
Leandro Trossard's winner at Fulham originated from Gabriel flicking Saka's delivery to the far post, where the Belgian was unmarked. Similarly, in the victory over Inter, Trossard's header back across goal clipped the bar and fell for Gabriel Jesus to score. This induced panic has also led to two converted penalties and four own goals, including incidents involving Wolves' Sam Johnstone and Brighton's Georginio Rutter.
Balancing Aggression with Defensive Security
Arsenal's aggressive set-piece approach, which often sees both centre-backs and a full-back committed in the opposition area, could theoretically leave them vulnerable to counterattacks. However, they have largely nullified this threat, conceding only 14 league goals all season. Only Erling Haaland's opener at the Emirates is considered a definitive counterattacking goal against them.
Opponents defending corners typically crowd their own box to counter Arsenal's aerial threat, which ironically reduces their own capacity to break away quickly. When breaks do occur, they encounter one of the league's hardest-running sides, with Arsenal players tracking back with impressive cohesion and urgency, even when leading comfortably in stoppage time.
The Future of Arsenal's Set-Piece Prowess
Some European sides, like Paris Saint-Germain, have experimented with leaving players upfield during Arsenal corners to improve counterattacking opportunities—a high-risk strategy that Premier League teams may need to consider. Furthermore, Arsenal's set-piece threat is poised to evolve. The squad is now working with long-throw specialist Thomas Grønnemark, adding yet another dimension to their already formidable dead-ball arsenal.
Through a combination of precise delivery, strategic variety, physical presence, and intelligent movement, Mikel Arteta has constructed a set-piece machine that is both brutally effective and tactically sophisticated. As the season progresses, finding a way to stop Arsenal's dead-ball dominance remains one of the Premier League's most pressing defensive puzzles.
