All articles tagged with #set pieces
Bosnia & Herzegovina, ranked No. 64, could upset the USMNT in the World Cup knockout thanks to a tall, physical lineup, dangerous young wingers Bajraktarević and Alajbegović, and a reliance on set-pieces led by Jovo Lukić. The USMNT are favorites, but must win aerial duels, blunt wide threats, and limit dead-ball opportunities to advance.
BBC Sport and Opta built alternative 2025-26 Premier League tables using metrics such as expected points (xPTS), home/away form, set-pieces, long shots and English goalscorers. The exercise highlights notable shifts: Sunderland would be relegated under xPTS, Aston Villa would finish bottom half, and Chelsea would reach the Champions League; Tottenham would excel away and could qualify for the Europa League in an away-only table, while Everton and Nottingham Forest overperformed on the road and Fulham boasted the strongest home form. Arsenal again feature among the top performers from set-pieces, illustrating how different metrics can reshape the season’s narrative and fuel debate over the value of “expected” data versus real points.
Arsenal ended a 22-year title drought by executing a long-term, data-driven rebuild led by Mikel Arteta and a restructured Football Intelligence unit; with a defined 'win window' (2023–27) and targeted signings built to peak together, the club’s culture, depth and set-piece craft helped them over the line after City drew, setting up sustained success beyond this season.
Arsenal finally lift the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, ending a 984‑day wait at the top as they weathered late-season doubts and City defeats. The victory crowns a rebuild guided by Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta, reinforced by a strong defense, a squad built for resilience, and standout set-piece efficiency, signaling continued investment from the Kroenke era and a bright future for the club.
Liverpool’s defensive lapses and slow reactions to a short corner helped Aston Villa secure a 4-2 win, highlighting recurring vulnerabilities despite Liverpool scoring twice. With nine regulars missing, the lineup was stretched, and Arne Slot lamented the ongoing errors while signaling a needed summer reset as European qualification becomes harder with Brighton and Bournemouth still to play.
Arsenal’s feel for set-pieces stands out as one of this season’s defining trends, but corners have become a battleground of grappling and fouls across the Premier League. A big VAR decision ruled out West Ham’s goal after Pablo fouled Raya, and the article breaks down five potential fouls in the build-up while noting refereeing challenges. It also surveys proposed rule tweaks—such as banning attackers from the six-yard box before a corner or making the play live when the ball is placed—to reduce the chaos.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says most Premier League matches are no longer a joy to watch due to a growing emphasis on set pieces, calling it the new reality of English top-flight football, while noting the league’s competitiveness and updates on Florian Wirtz’s injury absence and Jeremie Frimpong’s return ahead of a busy schedule.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot laments the Premier League's heavy emphasis on set-pieces, noting this season has a high share of goals from non-penalty set-pieces (about 27.5%). Arsenal lead with 16 corner goals, and Liverpool's first-half goals against West Ham came entirely from corners. Slot calls it the league's 'new reality,' not something he likes, but accepts it as part of modern football—and suggests it could influence youth coaching as well.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates to extend their Premier League lead to five points, courtesy of two well-worked corner goals from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Their 16 league goals from corners this season highlight a record-setting set-piece approach driven by coach Nicolas Jover, even as critics question the consistency of their open-play football. Manager Mikel Arteta defends the tactic as part of adapting to opponents, while Arsenal also push on in cup competitions with consistent results.
Chelsea's woes continued with a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal driven by their disciplinary issues and leaky defending on set-pieces, leaving them six points off the Premier League top four. The club have the most red cards in the PL this season and have conceded a high tally of set-piece goals, prompting Rosenior to stress the need to fix leadership and focus in a young squad.
Bayern Munich’s 2-1 defeat to Augsburg snapped their lengthy Bundesliga unbeaten run and highlighted defensive fragility after a wave of injuries to Stanišić, Laimer, Upamecano, Boey and Guerreiro. Davies returned at right-back, but the reshuffled back line struggled. Lennart Karl entered a mini-slump, while Michael Olise continued to deliver from set-pieces, providing another assist through a corner that Itō headed home and strengthening Bayern’s late-game threat from dead balls. Bayern now faces a crossroad on how they respond this season.
Arsenal staged a dramatic comeback to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St James' Park, with late goals from Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, showcasing strong mentality and tactical use of set-pieces, moving closer to the league leaders.
Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Juventus highlighted Fede Valverde's versatility and impact, the early stages of integrating Trent Alexander-Arnold, tactical adjustments by Xabi Alonso, and improvements in set-piece effectiveness, all contributing to the team's momentum and potential for further success.
Ruben Amorim, in his first Premier League loss as Arsenal's manager, highlighted set piece defense as a key issue after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. Despite early promise, Arsenal's experience and corner kick proficiency proved decisive. Amorim acknowledged the need for more training and strategic improvements, particularly in set piece defense, and expressed a commitment to learning and improving with his team.
Arsenal's 6-0 victory over West Ham showcased their redemption from past disappointments, with set pieces proving crucial in their win. Manager Mikel Arteta's motivational tactics and the team's sharp performance led to a historic victory, with players like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard making significant contributions. Declan Rice's return to his former club added an emotional element to the match, with his set-piece abilities playing a key role in Arsenal's dominance. The team's determination to carve their own path in the title race is evident, as they continue to build momentum and strive for success in the Premier League.