Arsenal currently lead the Premier League table. The Gunners are also the only English team remaining in the Champions League semi-finals, having advanced with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting CP. However, their recent run has been marred by setbacks, including a Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, an FA Cup exit at Southampton, and a home league loss to Bournemouth, which has opened the door for City in the title race.
Arsenal's attack has struggled recently, scoring only three times in their past five games. Erling Haaland's strike secured victory for Manchester City in their recent meeting, cutting Arsenal's advantage at the summit to three points. Manchester City could overtake Arsenal when they travel to Burnley on Wednesday night if they win their game in hand by at least two goals.
Arsenal must be better at Manchester City on Sunday if they are to press their Premier League title claims.
A significant portion of Arsenal's goals this season have come from set-pieces. The team has netted 19 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, at least five more than any other side. 2 per cent of Arsenal's Premier League goals this campaign.
These routines rely heavily on movement and blocking schemes devised by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. Midfielder Declan Rice has been instrumental in Arsenal's campaign. Rice joined from West Ham United in 2023 for a fee reported to be around £100 million and has been a key factor in Arsenal's successes, participating in almost all league games.
Revenge for the Carabao Cup final would be in the mix against Manchester City on Sunday.
He is currently the bookmakers' favourite for the Premier League's player of the season award. Rice has insisted Arsenal must be better at Manchester City on Sunday if they are to press their Premier League title claims. Despite leading the league, Arsenal have faced criticism for not being considered particularly entertaining.
Declan Rice claimed that teams come to defend against Arsenal, often playing 5-4-1 formations, making it harder to score. He also said criticism of Arsenal's reliance on set-pieces comes with being part of the club, and the most important thing is to win. According to Rice, those who criticise Arsenal over their prolific goalscoring from set-pieces are simply jealous because they cannot copy the Gunners' success.
Those who criticise Arsenal over their prolific goalscoring from set-pieces are simply jealous because they cannot copy the Gunners' success.
Opposition frustration with Arsenal's set-piece tactics has grown. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler voiced frustration over Arsenal's set-piece blocking tactics, bemoaning that there is no clear rule to stop it. Bayern Munich player Mathys Tel agrees with manager Arne Slot that modern soccer is not a pleasure to watch and describes the penalty box on corner kicks as a zoo.
Tel also says the Premier League is less exciting, with fewer spectacles like dribbling or bursts of speed, and is more structured with set pieces. Some figures have defended Arsenal's approach. Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney argues set pieces are part of football and Arsenal should use them even more.
There's no clear rule to stop it.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes the team can shake off a poor run of form and still win silverware this season. Vieira also described Declan Rice as a really important leader for Arsenal. Declan Rice has been vocal about the team's mentality.
He admitted that revenge for the Carabao Cup final would be in the mix against Manchester City on Sunday. After Arsenal advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, Rice said who cares what people think. Following the loss to City, he declared the Premier League title race isn't over.
Arsenal can shake off a poor run of form and still win silverware this season.
Patrick Vieira has offered analysis of Arsenal's tactics. He questioned Arsenal's recent approach of maintaining possession over scoring goals and urged the team to revert to their aggressive nature from the start of the season. Rice credits manager Mikel Arteta with fostering leadership.
He says Arteta has given players more ownership and leadership roles, improving the team's mentality and character. The debate over player of the season includes Rice and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes has eight goals and 16 assists in 28 games for Manchester United this season.
Declan Rice is a 'really important' leader for Arsenal.
Former England striker Alan Shearer believes Arsenal winning the Premier League might not be enough to see Declan Rice pip Bruno Fernandes to the award. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said Declan Rice is one of the best players in the world and wished Liverpool had signed him. In Europe, Arsenal face a Champions League semi-final meeting with Atlético Madrid.
The Gunners won 1-0 at Sporting in the quarter-final first leg and advanced with a 0-0 draw in the second leg. Arsenal's season has included gritty wins, such as a 1-0 victory over Brighton where they had lower ball possession and fewer shots than the opposition. Rice said winning that match, despite not playing well, meant a little extra because it has been difficult for Arsenal there in recent years.
Arsenal should revert to their aggressive nature from the start of the season.
Arsenal are in the best position they have ever been, leading the Premier League by four points after that win. The title race remains fluid with Arsenal's points lead over Manchester City disputed among sources, affecting perceptions of its tightness. The specific set-piece blocking tactics Arsenal use that drew criticism from Brighton are not detailed.
As the season concludes, Arsenal's ability to balance effective set-piece play with open attacking football will be tested in their pursuit of domestic and European silverware.
Who cares what people think.
Teams come to defend against Arsenal, often playing 5-4-1 formations, making it harder to score.
The Premier League title race isn't over.
Arsenal attract unfair scrutiny for their use of set pieces because they are so good at them.
Mikel Arteta has given players more ownership and leadership roles, improving the team's mentality and character.
Criticism of Arsenal's reliance on set-pieces comes with being part of Arsenal, and the most important thing is to win.
Winning 1-0 against Brighton, despite not playing well, means a little extra because it has been difficult for Arsenal there in recent years.