Arsenal set-pieces: Mikel Arteta ‘upset’ Gunners ‘not scored more’ from corners amid criticism from Premier League managers
Mikel Arteta has responded to opposition managers’ criticism of Arsenal’s tactics by saying he was “sad” that they “didn’t score more goals” from corners.
Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces continues to fuel title excitement as they won against Chelsea on Sunday, scoring the match-winning goal from a corner for the ninth time this season.
But they have also been at the forefront of recent debates about tackling and blocking set-pieces; Everton boss David Moyes described Arteta’s side as pioneers of the use of “dark arts”.
Fabian Hurzeler, who said Brighton will host the Premier League leaders on Wednesday, called for stricter rules on set-pieces and criticized Arsenal for wasting time.
Seagulls head coach Hurzeler claimed the Gunners sometimes waited “more than a minute” to take corners.
Arteta further emphasized their approach, saying such criticism was “part of the job”.
“I’m sorry we didn’t score more goals and lost [from set-pieces] Arteta said in a press conference:
“We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That’s the direction and purpose of this team.”
Arsenal became the team that scored the most goals (58) and conceded the fewest goals (22) in the Premier League. The goal difference of +36 is therefore at the highest level.
They are well ahead in goals scored from set pieces, including penalties, with 21 goals compared to Manchester United’s 15 goals per second.
16 of the goals this season (27.6%) came from corners. Spurs are at the top of this ranking, scoring 13 of their 38 goals from corners; with a total rate of 34.2%.
Arteta said the increase in the threat of set pieces was due to football “evolving” tactically and becoming “increasingly difficult”.
He added: “Teams adapt, teams know after every phase of the game – whether it’s the throw-in, the restart, whether it’s the open field situation – they know exactly what they need to do after that and it’s almost man-to-man.
“So unless we change the rules, it won’t be a different game because that’s how the game evolves.”
