Arsenal supporters have relished their recent run of narrow victories, particularly those secured through well-executed set pieces, even though the team has struggled to create much from open play. The Gunners have become increasingly reliant on these moments, turning limited chances into valuable points as they continue their pursuit of silverware this season.
The current Arsenal squad boasts some of the most talented attackers in the Premier League, and the club made significant investment in the summer with the arrival of a new striker. Understandably, fans are eager to see more attacking fluidity and creativity in open play, with the expectation that the new signing will be supplied with regular opportunities to score.
The Set-Piece Success and Its Hidden Risks
Despite their attacking talent, Arsenal’s creativity from open play has not reached the level many anticipated. Their success has instead come from discipline and precision during set-piece situations, where detailed planning and rehearsed routines have yielded decisive goals. This approach has enabled them to secure important wins, reinforcing the notion that consistency and results matter more than style.
However, the reliance on such fine margins brings inherent risks. A series of narrow victories can just as easily turn into frustrating draws or defeats if the opposition learns to nullify those routines. While supporters are content to celebrate wins, even when performances are less convincing, there remains a growing awareness that the team must rediscover a balance between structure and creativity.
The Need for Greater Attacking Output
In a demanding Premier League campaign, there will inevitably be periods when Arsenal’s defensive stability is tested. During such times, the ability to score freely could prove crucial. The Gunners will need to find alternative ways to break teams down, ensuring that their success is not overly dependent on set-piece situations.
Opponents are already beginning to study Arsenal’s routines closely, and it is only a matter of time before some discover effective countermeasures. When that happens, Arteta’s side must demonstrate versatility and inventiveness in attack. If they can combine their current efficiency with renewed creativity from open play, Arsenal will not only remain competitive but also strengthen their credentials as genuine title contenders.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
I agree that while the team are currently enjoying success with their set-piece routines, an over reliance on them and failure to start scoring from open play more often could potentially become a problem as the season wears on.
Time will tell of course, but it’s hard to see an over reliance on set-piece goals being enough alone to get the trophy’s that the club crave.
there is no over reliance on set piece goals…
we used to draw or lose these matches in the past… now we have found a way to beat the low block/ park the bus tactics !
Not sure why there is even a conversation on this.. look at recent seasons and matches for confirmation that we struggled before and yet now are not!
When goals are scored, there is less need to push forward for more, especially when you have the best defence around. Add up our total goals scored to see where we actually are
EPL managers have smartly been using ultra-defensive tactics to counter Arteta’s inverted-fullback system. Atletico Madrid, which was the last team who tried to play a bit more openly against us, failed miserably
I’m sure our EPL competitors have been analyzing our set-piece approach. This is why we need to score more open-play goals soon, which could be done by starting high-risk attackers like Madueke and Jesus
seriously!!?? how can we play Madueke and Jesus if they’re injured !!
When you are faced with sides with ten men behind the ball it becomes very difficult to create clear cut chances to convert into goals.As fatigue sets in ,particularly in the final quarter of game time, spaces tend to emerge and its up to our players to finish off the job during this period when even the most defensive minded sides tend to push men forward in an attempt to take something from the game.Nowadays virtually every player ,including forwards, are allocated defensive duties which was not the case thirty years ago.In essence, football has become more defensive than hitherto and i suspect the days of producing a string of convincing wins is too much to ask ,particularly in such a competitive League .Against Athle tico Madrid , we cashed in as they threw caution to the wind, but this rarely happens with the opposition at the Emirates where escaping with one point is seen as a bonus.As !ong as we win i am sure most of our fans will be happy at the end of day.
I agree with you, this notion that we rely on set pieces to me is wrong, we play offensively but when the opposition sits we tend to get corners or free kicks and we are good at it, it’s not like we run with the ball to the corner flag hoping for a corner. Arteta is taking advantage and maximizing with what the game sets out
To you and Grandad
💯
Grandad
It seems that football is becoming more about a chess match between managers rather than the players on the field.
Parking a bus and not playing football is acceptable, but adapting to capitalize on set pieces due to low blocks is “ruining the game?”
I’d rather see players talent and creative moments than a scripted play-style based on managerial control over player flair and creativity.
I tune in or show up to be entertained and excited, not to cheer a defensive boor-fest where control has suffocated the individual style and creativity out of players and a squad.
Winning is nice of course, don’t get me wrong, but do I want to see Jose’ / Artetaball or exciting direct play with creativity and flair on full display?
It is sports entertainment after all, not legislation; it is a choice to watch or partake, whereas the latter provides framework for life choices.
I agree wholeheartedly with your views Durand,to the extent that i tend to watch matches which are likely to be entertaining rather than the stereotype matches where defense prevails. In this connection the Man Utd v Brighton game last week was very watchable as both sides were prepared to take risks and throw men forward whenever possible.I expect Brighton to continue in this vein tonight in what should be an entertaining tussle and i have little doubt that the Newcastle v Spurs match will make good watching, especially if the Cup holders win .
Grandad I also tend to think that the over-emphasis on physicality in the PL has made the game less entertaining. There’s hardly any team in the league that plays exciting football and those that do tend to ship in goals( Ange Postecoglu is a great example of this). I still remember how under Wenger we could play really well and still concede three goals to United.
Even Pep who was previously known for expansive football had to embrace a rigid style that took creativity out of players like Grealish. I have a feeling managers like Pep and even Arteta would be playing a much different brand of football in La Liga.
It’s difficult to play entertaining football when your opponent’s tactics are all about disrupting the flow of the game- Newcastle for instance.
I hope today we start a good team against brighton. We need to go for all cups. My ideal line up would be.
Kepa
White Mosquera Hincapie MLS
Merino Norgaard
Nwaneri Eze Trossard
Gyokeres
We have played vs teams with a low block and ten men behind the ball all season, Liverpool did it, M city of all team did it. It’s very difficult to create a lot of attacking situations in this scenario. We play the highest line in the league while the opponents play the lowest line so it’s not that we are not committing players forward, it’s just that teams have no intention of playing football against us, they just want to sit back and counter.
At some point teams will have to understand that playing low blocks won’t work and try to play some offensive football, with more space we will definitely score more.
Of course Arteta and His team would love to create more open play chances and score more, but it hasn’t been easy. You could see this in the previous transfer window, we brought in Madueke, Eze and Gyokeres to help breakdown these defenses and also Zubimendi as deep lying playmaking midfield.
Am glad we have set pieces as a weapon, but I wouldn’t say we’re over reliant on them. I believe the team is going to create more chances sooner, just that it’s not straightforward with opposition set up to defend against us.
Thing is,whatever you say of Arsenal, you can easily say of any of our opponents. For instance, City heavily rely on Haaland. What happens when he gets injured,for instance?
Out of all the teams in the Prem,I think Arsenal has the most variety to their game. We can thrive in a physical game,a possession game, a pressing game, a set piece game, a tactical game etc. I think this gives us an edge,in addition to our superior depth.
Teams are at their sharpest right now and won’t be letting many goals in.All that matters is results right now.Bigger winning margins tend to come in the second half of the season when fatigue/injuries set in and smaller teams find it harder to cope.
The argument that our style of football is pragmatic and has so far ( this season at least)been successful is a sensible one, so why change it? At the same time there will be occassions when opposing teams convert their opportunities and score first. Then it will get interesting and also more frustrating to watch. We won’t always be able to pull off a comeback as we did against Newcastle with our current style of play.
I see 2 goals from open play this evening
Any comments about that? Not sure why we constantly have to nit-pick and criticise our own team when we are winning ! I can understand if we are losing but come on… !
Agree with you
Good to see as well Neil. Let’s not just rely on Saka to do all the work at breaking down a defense and the rest of our forwards looking for deflections in the hope of gaining another corner.
Let the opponents continue “studying” as we keep winning! – the author of this article reminds me of a popular saying in these parts of the world, “even if you lie down for people to walk on you, they will still complain that you’re not flat enough on the ground!!”
We’re winning and we’re enjoying the wins – there’s no beautiful/ugly 3 points – the title is awarded for most points, not most attacking display!!