Arsenal praised for set-piece dominance

Arsenal wrapped up the Premier League title on May 19 after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth left Mikel Arteta’s side out of reach with one game remaining. The championship is Arsenal’s first in 22 years and ends a run of three straight runner-up finishes, according to the Premier League and Arsenal. Set pieces became one of the clearest themes in the reaction that followed. The Athletic published analysis on May 21 describing Arsenal’s title-winning version as a team that embraced transitions and “rode the set-piece wave,” while football discussion on X circulated clips and breakdowns of the team’s routines. Arne Slot, whose Liverpool side surrendered the title to Arsenal this season, also offered public congratulations on Friday. (apnews.com) Reports carrying comments from Slot’s pre-match press conference said he congratulated Arsenal, Arteta and his staff before the final weekend of the campaign. ### Why did set pieces become such a big part of the Arsenal story? (nytimes.com) The Premier League’s own title analysis said Arsenal scored a division-high 24 goals from dead-ball situations in 2025-26. Eighteen of those came from corners, a Premier League record, and 14 delivered a 1-0 lead for Arteta’s team. Adrian Clarke, writing for the Premier League, said the quality of deliveries from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka was central to that record. (sports.yahoo.com) Clarke wrote that eight goals came from Rice inswingers and six from Saka’s left-footed corners, with Arsenal’s movement in the six-yard box and near-post runs repeatedly disrupting opponents’ marking. ### What exactly did Arsenal win, and when? (premierleague.com) Tuesday, May 19, was the day Arsenal became champions. The title was confirmed when second-placed Manchester City failed to win at Bournemouth, leaving Arsenal four points clear with only the final round left. Arsenal said Arteta became the club’s first manager since Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 side to win England’s top division. (premierleague.com) The club described the title as its first Premier League crown in 22 years. ### What did Arne Slot say about Arteta and Arsenal? Arne Slot said he wanted to congratulate Arsenal on winning the league title, according to reports published on May 22 from his Liverpool press conference. (apnews.com) Those reports said Slot praised “the club, Mikel Arteta and his staff” for a “remarkable performance.” Friday’s remarks came with the Premier League season still one match from completion. (arsenal.com) The league said the title race was over, but the final day on Sunday still carries implications elsewhere in the table. ### Which players were most visible in Arsenal’s dead-ball success? Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice featured heavily in the Premier League’s breakdown of Arsenal’s corner routines. (frenchfootballweekly.com) Clarke’s analysis credited Rice with eight corner deliveries that led to goals and Saka with six, while listing Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke among Arsenal scorers from corners. (premierleague.com) Gabriel Magalhaes was also described as directly involved in five goals from corner kicks. The Premier League analysis pointed to Arsenal’s rehearsed runs and crowded six-yard-box setups as recurring features of those sequences. ### What comes next after the title was sealed? Sunday’s final round is Arsenal’s last league match of the 2025-26 season. The Premier League said all 10 matches on the final day will determine European places, the last relegation outcome and final prize-money positions, even though Arsenal have already secured the title. (premierleague.com) Arsenal have also announced plans for a title parade later this month, according to published coverage after the championship was confirmed. Liverpool, meanwhile, close their season the same day after Slot’s congratulations to Arteta and Arsenal. (sports.yahoo.com) (premierleague.com)