LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to apologize for his side’s dead-ball dominance, insisting he is actually “upset” the Premier League leaders haven’t scored more from set-pieces this season.
The Gunners have surged to a five-point lead at the summit of the table, powered by a tactical masterclass in dead-ball situations. Following their 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, Arsenal equalled the Premier League single-season record for goals from corners, tallying a staggering 16 for the campaign.
The “Ugly” Debate Ignites
Despite their success, the north London club has faced a wave of criticism from pundits and rivals who claim their reliance on the “dark arts” of set-pieces is ruining the league’s aesthetic.
Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton went as far as to label Arteta’s side the “ugliest” potential champions in history, while Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted he no longer enjoys watching certain matches due to the stop-start nature of these tactics.
Arteta, however, remains completely unrepentant. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Brighton, the Spaniard brushed off the “ugly” label.
“I’m upset that we don’t score more,” Arteta told reporters on Tuesday. “We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That is the trajectory and the aim of this team. If you want to be the best, you have to master everything.”
The Jover Effect
Much of the credit for Arsenal’s set-piece revolution goes to coach Nicolas Jover. Since his arrival, Arsenal have weaponized corners and free-kicks into a primary attacking threat, a move Arteta defends as necessary for the modern game.
Responding to Sutton’s “ugly football” comments, Arteta quipped:
“I don’t know how you celebrate one goal differently from another. Maybe for YouTube, one looks nicer than the other. I’d love to play with three extra players in my own half to produce ‘beautiful’ football, but that is not the reality of the Premier League.”
Guardiola Steps In
Arteta found an unlikely ally in Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who recently suggested that instead of complaining, rival managers should focus on adapting to Arsenal’s strategy.
Arteta, who previously served as Guardiola’s assistant, echoed this sentiment:
“Teams are adapting. Look at the quality Chelsea and Manchester United have from set-pieces now. If you want to watch a different kind of football, you might have to go to a different country, because in the Premier League, this is the reality now.”
The Numbers Behind the Dominance
| Stat | Arsenal’s Set-Piece Record |
| Goals from Corners | 16 (Season Record Equal) |
| League Position | 1st |
| Current Lead | 5 Points |
As Arsenal prepares to face Brighton, the message from the Emirates is clear: they don’t care how the goals go in, as long as they keep leading the way to the title.
