The Premier League’s growing tactical focus on set pieces, particularly corners and throw-ins, has ignited a fiery debate among fans and pundits, with some commentators arguing that this emphasis on dead-ball situations is “ruining” the aesthetic quality of the game.
The controversy centers on the increasing prevalence of goals scored from non-open-play situations, a dark art that Arsenal have mastered thanks to their set-piece specialist, Nicolas Jover.
Arsenal’s league-leading proficiency is built on intricate planning and clever tactical execution. Sources highlight their detailed work, including using a “tactical run up to stampede past the defense” on corners, and employing specific routines such as “Blocking the goalkeeper to enable Gabriel’s run from deep.”
This strategic excellence has resulted in a significant percentage of their goals this season coming from dead balls, making them a formidable attacking threat.
However, the overall standard of these specialized tactics is not universally high. Throw-in expert Thomas Gronnemark, formerly of Liverpool, criticized the widespread adoption of long throw-ins by several top clubs. He lamented that many teams are attempting the tactic without the requisite quality or long-term training, stating:
“There are too many chaotic throw-ins in the Premier League: the level from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle is really low.” Gronnemark suggests that while the use of set pieces for “marginal gains” is here to stay, low quality execution risks adding stop-start boredom rather than tactical excitement.