The secret behind Arsenal's corner kick success under Arteta

While many Premier League teams struggle to break down opposing defenses, Arsenal has chosen a different path: turning corner kicks into the most effective attacking weapon in the league.

A familiar sight in Arsenal matches: Declan Rice carefully places the ball by the corner flag, steps back three paces, then delivers a perfectly curved and accurate cross.

Just seconds later, the opponent’s net ripples and the Emirates crowd erupts with a cheerful chant: “Set-piece again, set-piece again, ole ole!”, a song that mocks but also praises the tactical revolution led by coach Mikel Arteta and set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover they have built over the years.

Under this duo, Arsenal has become the “dead-ball king” of the Premier League, boasting the highest scoring efficiency from corners and free kicks. But this season, the Gunners have reached a new level: after just 10 matches, they have scored 8 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties), more than any other team in the Premier League.

If they maintain this form, Arsenal could surpass the record of 22 goals from set pieces set in the 2023–24 season. More importantly, the unfortunate draws last season against teams like Fulham, Everton, and Brighton have now been turned into full victories. A prime example is the recent 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, where Eberechi Eze’s winning goal originated from a textbook free kick by Rice.

By matchday 9, Arsenal had earned 67 corner kicks this season, the highest in the Premier League, ahead of Chelsea’s 57. What’s impressive is their conversion rate: 10.4% of Arsenal’s corners resulted in goals (7 goals), just slightly behind Chelsea’s 10.7%.

Last season, Arsenal earned 251 corners, only behind Man City (253) and Liverpool (252), but their scoring rate was just 5.6%. This season, that rate has nearly doubled thanks to tactical adaptation and continuous innovation.

According to statistics from Transfermarkt, Arsenal currently ranks as the team with the most goals scored from corner kicks across the top five European leagues since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, totaling 38 goals. In the 2025/26 season alone, the Gunners have already netted 8 goals from corners after just 10 Premier League games, an astonishing record.

Whereas last season most of Arsenal’s corner goals came from direct headers, this season they often score from indirect plays—pre-planned chaotic situations where players like Gabriel or Merino create distractions, while others like Trossard or Zubimendi seize the moment to finish decisively.

Center-back Gabriel Magalhães continues to lead in aerial duels. Although he doesn’t score directly, he frequently stretches the opposition’s defense or sets up teammates with strategic holds and headers. Alongside William Saliba and Mikel Merino, Arsenal is now among the best teams in England for height and aerial contest ability.

Notably, Declan Rice has become the Premier League’s new “golden crosser.” Five of Arsenal’s set-piece goals this season originated from his deliveries, executed with near-perfect accuracy and timing.

According to Arteta, this success is the result of over 10 years of preparation, dating back to his own days as an Arsenal player. Now, the combination of Rice and Saka’s accuracy, the height of Saliba, Merino, Gabriel, and Jover’s tactical mindset has made Arsenal as dangerous from corners as they are during open play.

Most importantly, it reflects Arsenal’s maturity as a team that knows how to win even without playing perfectly. If they keep up this form, the Gunners are not only aiming for the Premier League title but could also turn set pieces into a decisive weapon for securing trophies.