Mikel Arteta has again underlined his evolving football philosophy, insisting he doesn’t separate open play from set pieces but views the sport as one continuous flow. Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on October 26, 2025, the Gunners’ boss said, as posted by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account:
Look, I don’t see the game in open play and set pieces. I see the game in a different way.
His comments come as Arsenal prepare for another crucial London derby, having already extended their beautiful start to the season, as reported by Softfootball.
Arteta believes football does not stop, stressing that transitions between phases are connected. That belief has driven Arsenal’s remarkable form this term. The Gunners have scored 10 set-piece goals in just eight league games — the earliest any team has hit double digits in Premier League history. Their precision was also evident in the 4–0 demolition of Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, as reported by Softfootball.
Arteta’s focus on dead-ball dominance started a decade ago. He revealed:
Ten years ago, I said it’s a massive thing to do. I started to have a vision, implement a method, and surround myself with the best people to deliver that.
That’s how Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s set-piece coach, became a vital figure in the project.
Despite critics saying Arsenal rely too heavily on set plays — with only five open-play goals this season — Arteta remains unmoved. He said:
No, not at all. Football’s not open play and set pieces. It’s one whole game.
With just three league goals conceded, Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the Premier League. Arteta believes that’s no coincidence. He said:
The teams with the best defensive records, most of the time, win the title. The stronger we are with the foundations, the more probability we have of winning.
His message is clear — for Arsenal, set pieces are not shortcuts; they are part of a bigger, flowing idea. Football, as Arteta sees it, is never static. It’s always learning, always moving.
