By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Premier League.
Mikel Arteta has brushed off criticism of Arsenal’s tactics for set pieces, asserting his desire for his team to score even more goals from dead-ball situations.
Arteta’s side have a five-point lead in the Premier League thanks in part to their success at set pieces.
They equalled the Premier League season record for goals from corners by scoring two in the 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday, reaching 16 for the campaign.
The debate on whether set pieces are ruining football as a spectacle is raging, with the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, revealing he no longer enjoys watching some Premier League matches.
Everton boss David Moyes identifying Arteta’s side as the trailblazers for the use of “dark arts”.
Fabian Hurzeler, whose Brighton said host the Premier League leaders on Wednesday, has called for stricter rules around set-pieces and criticised Arsenal for time-wasting.
Arteta said such criticism was “part of the job” as he doubled down on their approach.
“I am upset we haven’t scored more and that we have conceded [from set-pieces] as well,” Arteta told a news conference.
“We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That is the trajectory and the aim of this team.”
Arsenal have scored the most goals (58) and conceded the fewest (22) in the Premier League. Their goal difference of +36 is therefore the highest.
They are way ahead on goals scored from set-pieces, including penalties, with 21 compared to Manchester United’s 15 in second.
Sixteen of their goals this season – 27.6% – have come from corners. Spurs are top of that particular table, having scored 13 of their 38 goals from corners – a total of 34.2%.
Arteta said the increase in set-piece threat was because football is “evolving” and becoming “more and more difficult” from a tactical perspective.
He added: “Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play – whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation – after that, they know exactly what they have to do and everything is almost man to man.