Liverpool manager Arne Slot has aimed a subtle dig at Arsenal over their reliance on set pieces to secure victories, suggesting that his own tactical philosophy does not favour such an approach. Slot is among the managers who have voiced concerns in recent months about the lack of goals from open play in the Premier League, indicating that the balance of the game may be shifting.
Arsenal are determined to win the title, and achieving that ambition requires gaining an advantage in every possible area. Under Mikel Arteta, they have developed into one of the finest Arsenal teams many observers have watched, and attention remains firmly fixed on whether they can secure the EPL crown at the end of this term. A significant component of their success has been their efficiency from set pieces, particularly in matches where opponents defend resolutely and make scoring from open play extremely difficult.
Set Pieces as a Decisive Weapon
In tightly contested fixtures, Arsenal have weaponised their set pieces to gain the upper hand. While some consider this a sign of strong preparation and tactical discipline, others argue that the increasing focus on such situations has become repetitive. The debate has grown louder as more teams adopt similar strategies to break down compact defensive structures.
Slot appears unconvinced by this trend and has suggested that the emphasis on set pieces is especially noticeable in England. He believes there is a distinct contrast between the Premier League and other competitions in this regard.
Slot’s Reflections on Modern Football
He said, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
‘You have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues, I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set-pieces.
‘If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think “wow, that’s a big difference”. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says “just go on”.
‘Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.’
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Klopp has his head turned inside out, and both sides are bold.
He would never say that with ManU, even if we were tied on set piece goals.
Desperate cries from a team failing to be consistent.
Klopp’s a previous Liverpool manager.
Poor old Slot, having the best set-piece goal scorer in the Premier League. I assume he’s talking of our corners when he goes on about fouling the keepers, and he’s right of course, as something needs to be done about all the fouling from both teams, but until it is we’ll take advantage of it, and I’ve read elsewhere that Jover gets a bonus for each set-piece goal we score, so don’t expect any changes from us any time soon.
The irony is, that I believe I’m right in saying that this calendar year, Liverpool have scored the most set-piece goals from corners.
Derek, I think you’re right, as 7 of their last 9 PL goals have come from set pieces.
Herr Drier,
What’s wrong with me. You’re normally having to dig me out of the holes I get myself in. I got out of this one myself. 😂👍
Even stranger, they sacked their set piece coach before xmas, I believe. And he is right.
And it isn’t for the betterment of football. There is a balance to be struck.
As per the title. If you listen to what he said and its context. It wasn’t a dig at Arsenal. Like what is being said Liverpool lately have benifitted from it. It was a dig at the way football is going in this country. And I agree with him, wholeheartedly. Stop this trend to horrible goals and lets trend to beautiful goals. Its nice to bang in a ser piece but its even nicer to see fast flowing attacking football, with lots of skill.
Reggie,
I interpreted the article in much the same way; it was a comment on the state of the game today, did not see a sly dig or whatever at Arsenal.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a emphasis on the dark side of the sport; wrestling on corners, time-wasting like throw-ins and goal kicks, low blocks, etc…
To me the game seems to have shifted, less about flowing attacking football, and more about organization and low blocks. It is almost as if most clubs are playing not to lose rather than to win.
Understandable, considering the massive amounts of money involved in the game now. Great for clubs, great for player’s wages, but not so great for fans and ticket prices and entertaining football.
I know it seems picky, especially since we sit at the top of most tables, but it is what it is. If Arteta could find a way to get his results AND play entertaining football, then build him a statue, I’m all for it.
Unfortunately, I tune in to be entertained; flowing direct football, not mobs on corners, and slow paced possession based play against low blocks.
Any chance we can return to the tactics of 22-23, now that we have top defense and plenty of quality players to rotate?
Asking for a friend…..
👍
Durand,
I’m in total agreement with you regards playing the way we did in the 2022/2023 season. Our defense was good back then as well.
But for some reason, Arteta seems to prefer the more pragmatic approach. For me personally, if we failed to win said trophy’s, id prefer to fail going for it, rather than wonder.👍
Derek,
Never understood why Arteta suddenly shifted left with his pragmatic approach. 22-23 season was when our play was the envy of Europe; I remember Italian players in Serie A saying during interviews they tune in to watch Arsenal play; not PL matches, but specifically said Arsenal. Also remember reading interviews where other players said the same.
Free flowing tends to be “controlled chaos” if that is even possible, and I don’t think Arteta likes that approach. He prefers the possession and “sense of control” it brings, although that is not always the case.
I also appreciated how Wenger managed to blend his philosophy with individual talent in the squad to get the best from his team. Maybe Arteta will with more experience, but now it seems more like micro-managing which stifles some of the individual talent of players.
Durand,
Once again I’m in agreement with you’re thoughts.👍
Can’t disagree with that.
👍🏽
I’m in agreement with the headline, we’ve set a bit of a trend with all the holding etc at corners and could easily have had a couple of penalties against us or even fouls given before us scoring in the Chelsea game and it’s getting rather tiresome with refs having to intervene with it all before it’s even taken.
GB,
Regards the referee having a word before every corner. You’re right, and then they carry on anyway, with no consequences.🤦♂️🤷♂️
Then that’s weak refereeing Derek and they do have all the answers in the rule book to stamp this out, but, as usual, do not play by the rule book.
Ken1945,
I totally agree with you. I think it depends on what side of the bed they get up on.