Arteta dismisses set piece criticism as Arsenal's open play goals rise

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Arsenal have long been accused of relying too heavily on set pieces to score goals, but Mikel Arteta has made clear he could not care less about where the goals come from, as long as they go in.

Over the past two seasons, the Gunners earned a reputation as one of the most clinical sides in Europe from dead ball situations, a trait that drew criticism from rival supporters and neutrals who suggested it made Arsenal's football less entertaining. This season, however, has brought a shift. Arteta's side have produced several eye catching performances in open play while still competing at the top of the Premier League, with only Manchester City performing better so far.

A more varied attack

The improvement in Arsenal's attacking flow has been noticeable, with the team creating and converting more chances from open play than in previous campaigns. That variety is seen as a significant asset heading into a season in which Arsenal are competing across multiple competitions, with opponents now having to prepare for threats beyond just corners and free kicks.

Speaking via Arsenal Media, Arteta directly addressed the criticism the club faced for its set piece dependency in recent years.

“Look what you just said, [we got] criticism for scoring [set piece] goals! I don't know what level we are at right now, but the team is showing a great attacking flow, we scored some beautiful goals,” Arteta said.

He went on to stress that the method of scoring matters far less to him than the result itself.

“The value of the goals is exactly the same, so I think we have to be a team that is able to score in many, many ways. That will make it harder for the opponent.”

Why the distinction matters less to Arteta

Arteta's comments reflect a broader philosophy that has defined his time in charge at the Emirates. Rather than being swayed by outside perception, he has consistently prioritised effectiveness, and his point about variety carries tactical weight. A team capable of scoring from set pieces, open play, individual moments of quality and build up play becomes significantly harder for opposition defences to plan against.

The criticism aimed at Arsenal in previous seasons often centred on the idea that their set piece reliance was a sign of limitations in open play creativity. This season's evidence suggests otherwise, with Arsenal's attacking players finding more fluid ways to break down opponents while still retaining their set piece threat as an additional weapon rather than a crutch.

As Arsenal continue to challenge near the top of the table, that attacking flexibility could prove crucial across a demanding schedule. Arteta's message is simple: however the goals arrive, they count the same on the scoreboard, and a team with more than one way to hurt opponents is a harder team to stop.