The Set-Piece Champions: Arsenal’s Unconventional Road to Glory

Arsenal’s Premier League title win has been met with both congratulations and criticism, with some pundits labeling them “unwatchable” and “Set-Piece FC.” However, their season-long dominance demonstrates that Mikel Arteta’s side has found success in an unconventional way – one that blends defensive solidity with a mastery of set-pieces.

The Gunners have taken the most open-play shots in the Premier League when the opposition has nine or more players in the penalty box at the time. This tactic forces teams to resort to a low block, often resulting in Arsenal scoring from those same open-play shots – 12 goals from 112 attempts being a testament to their ability.

But what does this say about Arsenal’s approach? Are they truly “Set-Piece FC,” as some have labeled them? Or is this a case of opponents trying too hard to stop them, only to be undone by their own defensive strategies?

The Price of Attacking Cohesion

Injuries have had a significant impact on Arsenal’s attacking play. With Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Leandro Trossard forming a formidable front three, it’s remarkable that they’ve only managed to start together 14 times out of 38 matches. This has forced Arteta to rely heavily on set-pieces – an area where his team excels.

In fact, Arsenal have taken the most open-play shots in the Premier League when the opposition has nine or more players in the penalty box at the time. Even Manchester City were forced into this approach when they visited the Emirates in September, with Pep Guardiola’s team resorting to a back five and a record-low 33.2 per cent possession.

The Arteta Paradox

Mikel Arteta himself has addressed criticism of his team’s style of play, saying that “you don’t have to be very smart” to understand why they’ve focused on set-pieces. He acknowledges the limitations of their attacking resources but emphasizes the importance of mastering this area – one where they excel.

This paradox at the heart of Arteta’s approach raises questions about what it means to be a successful team in the Premier League. Is it solely about having the most talented players or the flashiest style? Or can you win titles with a more pragmatic, counter-attacking strategy?

The VAR Debate

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot had some choice words for Arteta’s team, suggesting that they’ve been “a different champion” from those in recent seasons. Slot’s comment about 40 per cent of goals coming from set-pieces has sparked debate about whether Arsenal have benefited from fortunate refereeing decisions.

However, as Arteta pointed out, these criticisms are nothing new – and they won’t be the last word on this season. As the Gunners celebrate their title win, it’s clear that they’ve found success in a way that few predicted. Love them or hate them, Arsenal’s unorthodox approach has yielded results.

The Legacy of Set-Pieces

As we look ahead to next season, one question remains: will other teams follow Arsenal’s lead and focus on set-pieces as a key part of their strategy? Or will they continue to try and outmaneuver the Gunners with more attacking flair?

One thing is certain – Mikel Arteta has proven that you don’t need to be the most glamorous team in the league to win titles. By embracing set-pieces and defensive solidity, Arsenal have shown that success can come from the most unlikely of places.

As for their critics, they’ll just have to get used to seeing the Premier League trophy lifted by Arteta’s team – a testament to the power of pragmatism and counter-attacking football in the modern game.