Mikel Arteta hits back at critics of Arsenal’s dependence on set pieces

Chris Sutton said Arsenal would be ‘ugliest’ champions

Gunners manager wants even more goals from dead balls

Mikel Arteta has hit back at critics of Arsenal’s dependence on set-pieces, saying he is disappointed the Premier League leaders do not score even more goals from dead balls.

Arteta’s side have a five-point lead thanks in part to their success at set pieces. They equalled the Premier League season record for goals from corners by scoring two in the 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday, reaching 16 for the campaign.

But Arsenal’s excellence since Nicolas Jover took over as set-piece coach has sparked criticism of their reliance on the tactic. The debate on whether set pieces are ruining football as a spectacle is raging, with the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, revealing he no longer enjoys watching some Premier League matches.

Mikel Arteta hits back at critics of Arsenal’s dependence on set pieces

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