Arteta ‘upset’ Arsenal do not score more from corners amid set-piece debate

• Arsenal have scored 16 goals from corners this season
• Arteta rejects criticism over set-piece reliance
• Gunners boss says evolution of game demands adaptation

Mikel Arteta has said he is “upset” that Arsenal do not score more goals from corners, amid growing debate over the role of set-pieces in the modern game.

The discussion intensified this week after Arne Slot admitted he no longer enjoys watching some Premier League matches, while pundit Chris Sutton suggested Arsenal would be the “ugliest” title winners should they go on to lift the trophy.

Arsenal have scored a league-high 16 goals from corners this season, including both in Sunday’s win over Chelsea, but Arteta made clear he has no intention of apologising for that strength.

“I’m upset that we don’t score more, and that we concede as well,” he said. “We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game, and that’s the trajectory and the aim of this team, and as a club, we want to be the same. So we try to do that.”

Asked whether he was surprised by the criticism, the Spaniard replied: “Part of the job.”

Arteta acknowledged that football has evolved significantly in recent seasons, forcing teams to adapt tactically.

“You, as an opponent or whatever, you get upset when you concede a goal,” he said. “I was really upset the way we conceded a goal against Chelsea.

“Chelsea, look at the quality that they have, the amount of set-pieces they score. Manchester United as well. I was at Manchester City, I used to work a lot on them.

“There are phases and there are moments when a team has an opportunity to do certain things. The game is evolving and the game is becoming more and more difficult.

“Before, when you used to do a game plan you’d just invert a full-back and bring an extra player in midfield. Now, teams are adapting. Teams know after every sequence of play, whether it’s a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-play situation, after direct play, exactly what they have to do.

“And everything is almost man-to-man. So it’s going to be a different game unless we change the rules because the evolution of the game is that.”

Arteta suggested those seeking a different aesthetic may have to look elsewhere.

“I don’t know how you celebrate one goal different to another one,” he said. “Maybe for YouTube it’s nicer one or another. I don’t know.

“I would like to play with three players extra in my own half to get some beautiful football and play always against a free man. This is not the reality of football.

“If you want to watch that football, you have to go to a different country because in the Premier League, for the last two seasons or three seasons, this is not the case.”

Midfielder Declan Rice is expected to be fit for Wednesday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion despite limping off against Chelsea.