Arsenal's set-piece dominance sparks Premier League manager frenzy

Arsenal and Chelsea played out the Premier League's headline clash on Sunday, with set-pieces dictating the outcome of a closely fought contest.

All three goals in the London derby came from corners, as William Saliba and Jurrien Timber's goals led the Gunners to a 2-1 victory at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta's side have forged an identity based upon being dangerous from dead-ball situations, which has strengthened their title bid this season.

With the subject dominating the midweek press conferences, some Premier League managers are less than happy with the current state of set-pieces.

Fabian Hurzeler accuses Arsenal of time-wasting

Brighton are Arsenal's next opponents, and manager Fabian Hurzeler vented his frustration at his opponent's set-piece antics during his pre-match press conference.

"For me, the main topic is to make a clear rule how much time you can waste for a corner, for a throw-in, for a free-kick," he said.

"When Arsenal has a corner, and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner."

While Hurzeler might be deploying mind games ahead of a tough encounter at the AMEX Stadium, he is not the only one to weigh in on the topic.

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Michael Carrick and Arne Slot bemoan set-pieces

While Brighton's boss highlighted time-wasting as a concern, Manchester United's interim manager, Michael Carrick, expressed his bother about grappling in the box.

"It wasn't long ago we were told you couldn't lay a hand on anyone in the box, and we were told it would be clamped down," he said during his pre-match presser.

"It's crept in; the success of corners and being able to put bodies close together has made more teams do it. As a game, it doesn't feel like we've got that balance right."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was also asked about the state of set-pieces in the Premier League and echoed Carrick's views.

“Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it," the Dutchman said.

"When I think about football, I think about the Barcelona team 10-15 years ago. Now it is not as much a joy to watch, but it is always competitive.”

How have set-pieces changed in the Premier League?

Football has an ever-changing landscape, with playing styles and rules changing regularly, and set-pieces have certainly evolved over the years.

Holding and grappling in the penalty area were commonplace in the Premier League before officials started punishing for such actions, but now it seems that trend has reversed.

Funnily enough, the PGMOL launched a new initiative at the start of the season to clamp down on holding from corners and set pieces, with the following considerations:

• Sustained holding. If the holding is fleeting, there may be no impact on the opponent
• Impact on an opponent's ability to play or challenge for the ball
• A clear non-footballing action where the offending player has no interest in playing the ball
• Mutual holding by both players usually will not be penalised

When analysing these considerations, it is clear that mutual grappling and tugging should not lead to an offence, so if managers want action, then the PGMOL would have to amend rules ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Arsenal using the rules to their advantage

While managers and supporters have voiced their frustrations at Arsenal's tactics and the state of set-pieces in general, the Gunners have been utilising the rules to great success.

Indeed, Arteta's side have scored 22 of their 58 league goals from dead balls, and that savviness could pave the way to the North Londoners' first Premier League title in 12 years.

The top flight has been dominated by Pep Guardiola's Manchester City for almost a decade, but his former assistant has finally found a strategy that could usurp him.

Whether Arsenal win the title or not, the debate around set-pieces is one that will likely rumble on long into the summer.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

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