Mikel Arteta has set an ambitious target for his Arsenal side: to become the best in the world at everything.
Known for their technical brilliance, the Gunners have added another weapon to their, ahem, arsenal — dominance from set pieces.
Under Arteta and set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s transformation into a set-piece powerhouse has sparked comparisons to an unlikely source: Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.
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Arteta embraces the Stoke comparison
Dimitar Berbatov’s recent comments comparing Arsenal’s set-piece efficiency to that of Pulis-era Stoke may have raised eyebrows among fans, but Arteta sees it as a compliment.
“We take it as a big compliment because Stoke were so good at it,” he said. The remark, delivered with a touch of humor, harks back to a time when Arsenal’s stylish football clashed with Stoke’s gritty, physical approach.
Berbatov’s lighthearted comparison came after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United, where both goals came from corners.
The Gunners’ aerial dominance mirrored Stoke’s infamous set-piece strategies during their Premier League heyday. For a club once criticized for lacking physicality, the transformation has been dramatic.
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Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta
Arteta’s Arsenal blends technical flair with newfound pragmatism. Players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka provide creativity, while towering figures such as William Saliba, Thomas Partey, and Gabriel Magalhães deliver aerial strength.
Even Declan Rice, standing over 6 feet tall, takes corners instead of attacking them.
This season, Arsenal’s set-piece prowess has been crucial. Against Manchester United, Jurrien Timber scored the opening goal with a glancing header, capitalizing on a well-orchestrated routine.
Then Partey’s header deflected off Saliba for the second goal. These moments highlight how Arsenal’s organized chaos in the box unsettles opponents.
The Stoke comparison may sting for some fans, but the numbers speak for themselves. Arsenal’s seven set-piece goals this season put them atop the Premier League table for that statistic.
Arteta’s philosophy, shaped by mentors like Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola, now includes elements of the physicality and strategy that defined teams like Stoke.
Arteta’s vision: The best at everything
Arteta’s ambition extends beyond set pieces. “We want to be the best of the best,” he said. “In corners, in open play, in everything.”
The Gunners’ growth under his leadership is evident, with three consecutive league wins narrowing the gap to Liverpool in the title race.
As Arsenal prepares to face Fulham, Arteta’s words resonate. The team’s evolution combines the artistry of its past with the grit required to win in the modern Premier League.
Stoke comparisons may draw a chuckle, but for Arteta’s corner kings, they’re a badge of honor.