This season, Arsenal has emerged as one of the most dangerous teams from set-pieces and corner kicks, thanks to their tactical creativity and precision. With a blend of clever routines, pinpoint deliveries, and aerial dominance, they’ve turned dead-ball situations into a critical weapon.
But no system is flawless. As fans and analysts, how do you think opponents can counter this threat? Should teams adopt zonal marking, man-to-man systems, or a hybrid approach? How effective is placing additional pressure on the set-piece taker?
Let’s dissect Arsenal’s tactics and brainstorm ways to neutralize their efficiency from dead-ball situations. Share your thoughts and insights below!
To neutralize Arsenal’s set-piece threat, focus on strict man-marking of their aerial threats like Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice while employing a zonal marking system to protect key areas in the box.
Stay alert to their creative short corners and press players like Ødegaard and Saka to disrupt their deliveries. Defend the second ball aggressively, avoid giving away unnecessary fouls near the box, and rely on a commanding goalkeeper to claim crosses. Consistent focus and tactical discipline are key to minimizing their effectiveness from set-pieces.
Responding to a social media post analysing Arsenal’s corner-kick strategies, Didier Drogba suggested positioning a player close to the corner taker to disrupt their delivery. “Put someone in front of the corner taker 10m away and tell him to jump so the corner taker won’t be able to deliver a good ball,”
Also goalkeeper to collect any sloppy balls and instruct your defenders to protect him.”
