Arsenal is looking to maintain its competitive edge over Manchester City this season through a combination of set-piece mastery and impressive squad depth. Manager Mikel Arteta, known for his tactical acumen, has transformed Arsenal into one of Europe's most dangerous teams from set plays. This, coupled with strategic squad building, positions them as strong contenders for major titles.
Arsenal's set-piece efficiency has become a key weapon. Last season, they scored an impressive 22 goals from set plays, placing them among the Premier League's elite. Under the guidance of specialist coach Nicolas Jover, Arsenal has consistently found ways to score from corners and free-kicks, making them a constant threat in dead-ball situations. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal has scored 33 goals from corners, nine more than Manchester City. In that same period, 25.2% of their league goals have come from set-pieces. In the current 2025/2026 season, Arsenal have already scored multiple goals from corners, including goals against Manchester United and Leeds United. Arteta emphasizes the importance of every detail in set-piece execution, recognizing it as a crucial aspect of the modern game. Even when their recent form has been inconsistent, experts anticipate that Arsenal will continue to be a major threat from set pieces.
Recognizing the demands of competing on multiple fronts, Arteta has focused on building a squad with considerable depth. This strategy was evident in their recent Champions League match against Athletic Club, where substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scored to secure a 2-0 victory. The ability to bring on high-caliber players from the bench provides Arsenal with a significant advantage, especially during congested fixture periods. The Daily Mail analyzed the top Premier League clubs and determined that Arsenal has the best "second XI" due to the blend of experienced internationals and promising young talents. The depth in Arsenal’s squad allows them to cope with injuries and rotate players without a significant drop in quality. New signings like Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have integrated well, further bolstering the team's options.
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, remains a formidable opponent. Guardiola has acknowledged Arsenal's strength in all departments, particularly their set-piece threat and solid defense. To counter Arsenal's set-piece proficiency, City will need to minimize the number of set-piece opportunities they concede and defend them effectively when they arise. Offensively, Manchester City relies on the prolific Erling Haaland and the creativity of players like Phil Foden. They also have their own set-piece strategies, often involving near-post runs from Haaland and Josko Gvardiol to create opportunities for trailing midfielders. City's squad depth is also noteworthy, with players like Tijjani Reijnders and Jeremy Doku providing additional quality.
Arsenal's Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are key players in set-piece delivery. The Gunners also have versatile players like Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard who can fill multiple roles. Arsenal’s tactical flexibility allows Arteta to adjust his formations and personnel based on the opponent and the situation. Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma is a key player, and his distribution skills are under scrutiny as he transitions from Ederson's play style. City’s tactical approach involves a hybrid 3-2-4-1/4-1-4-1 formation, with emphasis on inverting full-backs and overloading the midfield.
As the season progresses, both Arsenal and Manchester City will need to leverage their strengths to maintain their positions at the top. For Arsenal, this means continuing to maximize their set-piece opportunities and utilizing their squad depth effectively. For Manchester City, it involves minimizing defensive vulnerabilities and capitalizing on their offensive firepower. The upcoming matches between these two teams will likely be pivotal in determining the title race, with set-piece execution and squad depth playing crucial roles. Both managers recognize the importance of these aspects and will be strategizing to gain an edge.
