Arsenal's dominance from dead balls has been a hallmark of Mikel Arteta's team this season, with 17 league goals scored from corners, free kicks, penalties, and long throws. But what sets the Gunners apart is their approach to set pieces - an old-school method that relies on tall defensive players and intelligent movement off the ball.
The backbone of Arsenal's dead-ball strategy are Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who have created eight goals between them from corners this season. However, while both players take corners with precision, their deliveries into the box differ significantly - Rice tends to deliver in-swinging balls with his right foot, creating chaos for opposing defenders, whereas Saka prefers left-footed deliveries that aim squarely at the near post.
While launching balls directly towards leaping centre-backs is an effective strategy, Arteta has opted for a more aggressive stance. The use of set pieces is not reliant on Rice and Saka alone; other players such as Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke have also scored goals from corners this season.
A key factor in Arsenal's success lies in their ability to create chaos within opposing defences. By shifting players' starting positions, pressuring the goalkeeper, and varying the direction of deliveries, Arteta's side can create a level of confusion that advantages them. For example, Leandro Trossard's winner at Fulham was created by Gabriel Jesus flicking Saka's delivery to the far post, where the Belgian was unmarked.
The Gunners have also scored seven goals from knock-downs, flick-ons, or goalmouth scrambles after a set piece this season - a testament to their ability to capitalize on loose balls and create scoring opportunities out of thin air. Moreover, their opponents often struggle to cope with Arsenal's pace and movement off the ball.
While the approach is effective, it also leaves room for counterattacks. However, Arsenal have largely avoided being caught out by opposing teams' quick breaks, conceding only 14 league goals all season - a remarkable defensive record considering the number of set pieces they've taken.
To counter this, opposing teams may need to rethink their defensive strategies when facing Arsenal. Paris Saint-Germain's approach to defending corners in Europe has shown that intentionally leaving players upfield can improve their chances of a breakaway, but it's also a high-risk strategy that could leave them exposed to quick counterattacks.
In fact, Arteta's squad is working with long-throw specialist Thomas Grønnemark to add another dimension to their set-piece prowess. This could make life even harder for opposing teams defending against Arsenal, who are rapidly becoming the most feared side in the Premier League when it comes to scoring from dead balls.
The backbone of Arsenal's dead-ball strategy are Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who have created eight goals between them from corners this season. However, while both players take corners with precision, their deliveries into the box differ significantly - Rice tends to deliver in-swinging balls with his right foot, creating chaos for opposing defenders, whereas Saka prefers left-footed deliveries that aim squarely at the near post.
While launching balls directly towards leaping centre-backs is an effective strategy, Arteta has opted for a more aggressive stance. The use of set pieces is not reliant on Rice and Saka alone; other players such as Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke have also scored goals from corners this season.
A key factor in Arsenal's success lies in their ability to create chaos within opposing defences. By shifting players' starting positions, pressuring the goalkeeper, and varying the direction of deliveries, Arteta's side can create a level of confusion that advantages them. For example, Leandro Trossard's winner at Fulham was created by Gabriel Jesus flicking Saka's delivery to the far post, where the Belgian was unmarked.
The Gunners have also scored seven goals from knock-downs, flick-ons, or goalmouth scrambles after a set piece this season - a testament to their ability to capitalize on loose balls and create scoring opportunities out of thin air. Moreover, their opponents often struggle to cope with Arsenal's pace and movement off the ball.
While the approach is effective, it also leaves room for counterattacks. However, Arsenal have largely avoided being caught out by opposing teams' quick breaks, conceding only 14 league goals all season - a remarkable defensive record considering the number of set pieces they've taken.
To counter this, opposing teams may need to rethink their defensive strategies when facing Arsenal. Paris Saint-Germain's approach to defending corners in Europe has shown that intentionally leaving players upfield can improve their chances of a breakaway, but it's also a high-risk strategy that could leave them exposed to quick counterattacks.
In fact, Arteta's squad is working with long-throw specialist Thomas Grønnemark to add another dimension to their set-piece prowess. This could make life even harder for opposing teams defending against Arsenal, who are rapidly becoming the most feared side in the Premier League when it comes to scoring from dead balls.
. I mean, they're not just relying on Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka to score goals from corners, they've got other players contributing too. It's like a well-oiled machine, with each player knowing their role and working together seamlessly. And let's be real, it's the little things that make a big difference - like how Leandro Trossard scored that winner at Fulham, it was all about the clever movement off the ball 
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. It's like they're always one step ahead of the opposition.
. By pressuring the goalkeeper and shifting players' starting positions, they can get into opponents' heads and catch them off guard. And it's not just about scoring goals from corners, it's also about creating those knock-downs, flick-ons, or goalmouth scrambles that can lead to more chances.
, and it's going to be tough for opposing teams to stop them 
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. It's all about creating chaos and taking advantage of loose balls, which is something Arteta has done incredibly well this season. I mean, 17 league goals from set pieces isn't bad at all! 
. And it's not just Rice and Saka doing all the work either; other players like Ødegaard, Eze, and Madueke have also chipped in with goals from corners.
. And if they keep working on their long-throw strategy, it could make life even harder for teams like PSG! 
these guys are like a well-oiled machine when it comes to corners - its like they have their own army of tall defenders just waiting for the ball to come in 
️ Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are like the dynamic duo of set pieces, creating chaos wherever they go. And who knew Martin Ødegaard was good at scoring from corners too? 
I mean, its not rocket science but Arteta's approach is genius - they're making it hard for opposing teams to even get a sniff at their goal. PSG might need to rethink their corner strategy... or just prepare for a lot of headaches 
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. I mean, who needs fancy passes when you can just kick it up to the big fella in the box and hope for the best? 
But seriously, their approach is so clever - they're creating chaos and confusion among the opposition's defenses, making it hard for them to cope.
. They've got Grønnemark on board, who's a long-throw specialist - can you imagine the terror they'll inflict on opposing teams with those set pieces?! 
It's like they're getting better and better, and I'm loving every minute of it!
so i think what's really interesting about arsenal's set piece strategy is how they're not just relying on one or two players to create chaos... rice and saka might take corners, but the rest of the team is playing a huge role in creating these opportunities too 
From Rice and Saka's precision deliveries to the others like Ødegaard, Eze, and Madueke scoring goals from corners, it shows Arteta's got a solid system in place. And let's not forget those knock-downs and flick-ons - it's all about creating confusion for opposing teams! 
that was pure magic! and dont even get me started on how well they capitalize on loose balls to create scoring opportunities out of thin air 
but i think adding long-throw specialist thomas gronnemark into the mix will just make life even harder for them 
this season! i mean, i was a bit skeptical at first but arteta's got it down pat 
and saka's left-footed deliveries to the near post are so deadly 
but what really gets me is that they're not just relying on those two, martin ødegaard, eberechi eze, and noni madueke have all scored from corners too! 
i loved how leandro trossard got that winner against fulham with gabriel jesus flicking saka's delivery to the far post 
and those knock-downs, flick-ons, or goalmouth scrambles are just so clutch 
u guys are going to love it when we take on paris saint-germain next! 
. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are a dynamic duo from corners, but let's be real, who doesn't love watching tall dudes head balls into the net? 
. One thing that's got me wondering is how long opposing teams can keep trying to adapt to their set piece strategy without getting caught out by those quick counterattacks 
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. Opposing teams are going to have to get creative with their defensive strategies if they want to stop Arsenal from scoring 
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. Thomas Grønnemark bringing in the long-throw specialist is gonna be a game-changer 
. Its like a puzzle, and once they get it right, its tough for the other team to figure out what's coming next