Pep Guardiola backs Arne Slot regarding concerns over Arsenal reliance on set piece tactics

Pep Guardiola agrees with Arne Slot on the rise of set pieces as Arsenal records 22 goals from dead ball situations during the 2025/26 Premier League season.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 3:49 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

Managerial Consensus on Tactical Evolution

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly aligned himself with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot concerning the increasing influence of dead ball situations in the Premier League. The discussion intensified following Arsenal's 2,1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, where every goal scored resulted from a corner kick. Guardiola noted that while the importance of these moments has grown since he began his coaching career, the fundamental nature of English football remains tied to the celebration of corners and free kicks.

Statistical Significance of Dead Ball Situations

The impact of specialized coaching is evident in the current season's scoring records. Arsenal has recorded 22 of their 58 Premier League goals from set piece situations, a figure that places them three goals ahead of Newcastle United in this specific category. First team coach Nicolas Jover has been identified as a primary architect of this efficiency, reportedly receiving performance based bonuses for goals scored via these methods. This tactical focus has become a defining characteristic of the North London club's pursuit of the league title.

Delays and Game Management Concerns

Data from Opta suggests that the strategic use of set pieces extends beyond the delivery itself to include game management and timing. The Gunners currently hold the longest average restart time for set pieces in the top flight, clocking in at 44.4 seconds. This duration is three seconds longer than Sunderland, who hold the second highest average in the league. These interruptions were a point of contention for Slot, who recently remarked that such stoppages detract from the joy of watching Premier League matches.