Arsenal Accused of Pushing the Boundaries Over Set-Pieces as Arteta Responds to Brighton Criticism

Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions that Arsenal are exploiting grey areas in the laws of the game following pointed remarks from Fabian Hürzeler ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Set-pieces have become an increasingly decisive weapon in the Premier League this season, and Arsenal have emerged as the division’s most prolific side from dead-ball situations — a dominance that has drawn both admiration and criticism.

Arsenal Lead the Way from Dead-Ball Situations

After scoring both goals in Sunday’s 2–1 victory over Chelsea from corners, Arsenal have now found the net 19 times from set-pieces in 29 league matches this term. That total places them five clear of Newcastle United in second place and 12 ahead of Brighton.

Ironically, Brighton boast the joint-best defensive record in the division from set-pieces, having conceded just five goals from such situations.

The debate around dead-ball dominance intensified earlier this week when Liverpool manager Arne Slot suggested that the growing influence of set-pieces has reduced the spectacle of matches, claiming games are no longer a “joy to watch”.

According to Opta, 27.5 per cent of Premier League goals this season have come from non-penalty set-pieces — the second-highest proportion recorded since the 2009–10 campaign.

Hürzeler Calls for Clearer Rules

Speaking on Tuesday, Hürzeler questioned the lack of consistency in officiating and the time taken over restarts, appearing to reference Arsenal directly.

“I think it disturbs the rhythm of the game,” he said. “There are no clear rules any more about how much time you can spend on a corner or a throw-in.

“Some of the blocking, or the way teams block, there is no clear rule — sometimes the referee gives a foul, sometimes he doesn’t. That’s why this topic is coming up.

“When Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over a minute just to take it. We have to create clear rules about how much time can be used for a corner, a throw-in or a free-kick.

“In the end, sometimes we have only 50 minutes of actual game time instead of 65. The game is changing a lot, and the difference is massive.

“Supporters who pay good money to attend matches should see consistent game time. They want to watch football, not 50 minutes of play and 40 minutes where the game is stopped.”

Arteta: “We Want to Be the Best”

Arteta, however, refused to be drawn into the criticism when questioned at his pre-match press conference.

Asked whether rival clubs would like to replicate Arsenal’s efficiency from set-pieces, he responded:

“I certainly would want to be. I’m upset that we’re not scoring more — and that we concede as well.

“We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That’s the trajectory and the ambition of this team, and as a club we want the same. So we will continue to strive for that.”

When pressed further about the mounting scrutiny, the Spaniard offered a brief and measured reply:

“Part of the job.”

Growing Scrutiny on Set-Piece Strategy

Arsenal’s meticulous work on corners and free-kicks has been widely credited as a crucial factor in their title challenge, yet it has also fuelled wider debate about time-management, physical blocking and the interpretation of the laws.

Whether the governing bodies move to tighten regulations remains to be seen. For now, however, Arsenal’s ruthless efficiency from dead-ball situations shows little sign of diminishing — regardless of outside opinion.