Arsenal have weaponised dead-ball situations into a season-defining strength, turning routine corners and free-kicks into a reliable source of goals and a clear tactical advantage.
This campaign has seen an unprecedented surge in set-piece scoring across the Premier League, with dead-ball goals making up a record proportion of top-flight strikes.
Even teams once thought immune have fallen prey, proving that choreographed moments from corners and throws are no longer a niche trick but a league-wide phenomenon.
Mikel Arteta’s squad leads the way, with Arsenal converting an extraordinary number of set-pieces into decisive finishes and frequently using their physical template to dominate aerial duels.
The Gunners’ corner routine has become so fruitful that highlight reels and official compilations now catalogue their repeated success from the flag.
This isn’t footballing fashion for fashion’s sake. Set-pieces offer marginal gains born from repetition and detail.
Teams such as Brentford and Bournemouth have weaponised throws and dead-ball routines to punch above their weight, showing that meticulous coaching can reshape results more reliably than occasional individual brilliance.
The effect is democratic and decisive.
Clubs that defend set-pieces poorly find themselves sliding down the table while those who master deliveries or exploit long throws climb higher, turning an overlooked phase of play into a measurable competitive edge.
Romantics may bemoan aesthetics, but modern football rewards efficiency.
Arsenal have simply embraced that reality and executed it better than anyone, proving that in an era of marginal gains, dead-ball expertise is not second‑rate — it is essential for anyone aiming to win trophies and lead the league.
