Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium has once again spotlighted a recurring issue in Mikel Arteta’s side: defending set-pieces. Despite taking the lead through Declan Rice, the Gunners conceded two goals from dead-ball situations, underscoring a vulnerability that has plagued them throughout the season.
Bournemouth’s equalizer came from a long throw-in, with Dean Huijsen heading home unchallenged. The winner followed shortly after, as Evanilson capitalized on a flicked-on corner to score at the back post. These goals were not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern. Arsenal have now conceded 12 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, accounting for 38.7% of their total goals conceded—the highest proportion in the league!
This defensive frailty is particularly concerning given Arsenal’s reputation for set-piece proficiency in attack. While they have been lauded for their creative routines and goal-scoring from dead-ball situations, the same level of discipline and organization has not been mirrored in their defensive setups. Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy emphasized the need for balance, stating, “You need to be on it to score [when attacking] but you also need to be on it when defending”.
The timing of these lapses is also critical. In their last three home games, Arsenal have dropped points due to set-piece goals, highlighting a pattern that opponents are increasingly exploiting.
This issue is not just about individual errors but points to a systemic problem in defending set-pieces, whether it’s zonal marking lapses, poor communication, or a lack of aggression in aerial duels.
With crucial fixtures ahead, including the Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, addressing this vulnerability is imperative. Arteta and his coaching staff must reassess their defensive strategies during set-pieces, ensuring that the team is better organized and more resilient in these situations. Failing to do so could undermine their ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
What are your thoughts Gooners?
Darren N
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We were always vulnerable to set pieces, but the absence of Gabriel Magahlase, has make things gone from bad to worst
Yeah. I’m surprised we have conceded a lot of goals from set-pieces this season, because it rarely happened in the past three seasons
Maybe Magalhaes was the one who organized his teammates in defending set-pieces or perhaps it’s time to replace Nicolas Jover
I think that aspect will improve if Merino, Rice, Partey and Timber become starters
I have no doubt Rice, Merino, Timber and Partey will start in Paris,
The writing was on the wall, long before the Boumeounth game, only one premier league team was ahead of Arsenal conceding from set pieces.
Our success of scoring set pieces against opponents had plasteredover the cracks, so effective were our set piece attacks, the gaffer publicly accepted comparison to Tony Pulis Stoke City as a compliment.
There is a rumor Arsenal is interested in Bournemouth Dean Huijsen, he certainly would helps in that department,
I think Arsenal can only sign Huijsen if they sell Magalhaes or Saliba
Those two are off the table, think the attention would be on Kiwoir.
There is a lot of interest in Europe for the Polish international
The game is long gone winning it wouldn’t have made us win the league, the least this arsenal can do is just qualify for champions league which i think they will achieve,with the way arteta set is team this season we were never going to win the League.
Going to the champions league game against PSG which i think is the most important game of the season for arsenal it was criminal of arteta not to play Tierney at left back and move Lewis Skelly to CDM to allow Declan Rice to continue in is box to box role, Merino should have played the number nine and let Trossard come in as a sub, but that also is long gone.
Tomorrow Wednesday is a do or die for Arteta to win that game against PSG because personally next season will most likely be is last season as arsenal manager because if he doesn’t win any mojer trophie considering how he has been trusted by the Kroenke with lots of transfer money.
From the financial point of view, by making it to the final we earn a meagre 5M, so there is no stress on the manager to win it. Nevertheless with Partey back in the CDM, we can expect a result in Paris depending of Mikel’s attitude whether he wants to protect the 0-1 deficit till the 80th minute or go all out attack and score within the first 30 minutes.
“Arsenal have now conceded 12 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, accounting for 38.7% of their total goals conceded—the highest proportion in the league!”
As I mentioned in an earlier article, the 38.7 % figure is used because it emphasises the problem – it’s higher than other teams because we have the best defensive record in the league overall, so every goal conceded from a set piece is worth more, relatively, compared to those conceded by other teams.
The important number is 12 conceded from set pieces. To me that does sound quite high, but I would be interested to know how it compares to the rest of the league. One thing’s for sure, it’s definitely *not* the highest in the league, otherwise that would be the focus if the article!
Managed to find some info – 12 from set pieces isn’t great. The worst two teams have both conceded 19, a few teams including us have conceded 11, 12 or 13, and then the vast majority have conceded 10 or less from set pieces. Definitely an area to work on.
Interestingly our defensive record is based on only conceding 12 from open play – every other team has conceded over 21 (most of them far more than that!).
Thank you for looking into that further Davi – and yes, it does look like an area that needs focus 👌
The game with Bournemouth was in extreme very crucial. My biggest concern is that right now we are in a position where we can loose our place in the Champions League 25/26 and even more we can face a nightmare scenario where next season will be in Conference league.
Nah mate
Because Chelsea have to Newcastle and Forest it’s very unlikely we would finish outside top 5
Calafiori at left 8?
Anyone in?
Anyone else heard that stat about Barcas offsides……astounding
Henrikh Mkhitaryan going for a unique treble
Another player we essentially got rid of to slash the wage bill