Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta share a common goal in their battle for Premier League supremacy, but are trying to achieve it in very different ways.
While leaders Arsenal have become kings of set-pieces this season, scoring 33% of their 58 goals in such situations, including 16 from corners, City have largely eschewed the Premier League’s new obsession.
This season, 27% of all goals in the Premier League have come from set-pieces, more than in any other competition in Europe and the highest percentage in the English top flight since 2009-10.
Corners have led to 138 goals, already more than in the entire previous campaign.
Guardiola brought his famous tika-taka style to the Premier League when he arrived at City in 2016 and has remained true to an intricate, possession-based style during a glittering reign that has produced six English titles and a blueprint that many others have tried to follow.
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The signing of goalscoring machine Erling Haaland has led to a slightly more direct style in recent seasons, but City’s essence remains intact, evidenced by the fact that they rank second on goals from set plays at 10.5%.
“Set moments have become important. “It was different when I started as manager,” Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday ahead of his side’s crucial home game against Nottingham Forest, which they must win to keep the pressure on Arsenal.
«When I was a young boy we said that people in England celebrate corners and free kicks like a goal. I remember it perfectly, so nothing has changed in that way.»
Arsenal have no shortage of flair players and usually dominate possession, but were branded ‘ugly’ by him BBC pundit Chris Sutton after a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, with both goals coming via headers from corners.
HOLD AND BLOCK
The sight of players wrestling, holding and blocking like wrestlers for corners was a hallmark of the derby, but it is what enticed millions around the world to take part.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said matches are no longer ‘a joy’, while Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior has demanded an overhaul to get the rugby-style scrums at corners under control.
City will look to keep the pressure on Arsenal by beating struggling Forest, but don’t expect Guardiola to demand long throws or for his side to play for corners. Not that he was drawn too deeply into the debate over Arsenal’s methods when he addressed the media.
Arsenal have become the kings of set pieces this season, scoring 33% of 58 goals in such situations. | Photo credit: AFP
Arsenal have become the kings of set pieces this season, scoring 33% of 58 goals in such situations. | Photo credit: AFP
«It’s the business I’m in. I’m a manager. I can’t say, ‘I don’t like set pieces’. I adapt and do it,» Guardiola said.
“Football has been played in so many ways since it was created. How it is played in England is different to Spain or Italy.
«Every manager plays in different ways. How boring would it be if all managers played the same way. I have to adapt. If I don’t like it, I don’t watch, but I have to adapt.»
Arsenal, who are five points ahead after having played one game more than City, travel to Brighton and Hove Albion, whose manager Fabian Hurzeler knows what is coming.
“It’s definitely a big strength for Arsenal, they’re doing impressively this season,” he said.
“They’ve got a lot of good takers, they’ve got a lot of physicality, so it’s definitely something we have to take care of, but we’ll stick to our principles.”
Published on March 3, 2026
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