Arsenal are leading the set-piece revolution in the Premier League.
19% of Premier League goals in the 2025/26 season will come from corner kicks – a record this season. Arsenal scored 11 goals from set pieces (69%), and Brentford opened the scoring against Liverpool with a throw-in.
Arsenal are leading the "set-piece revolution" in the Premier League in the 2025/26 season. 19% of all goals come from corners – the highest percentage in the league's history. Within that picture, Arsenal scored 11 goals from set pieces, accounting for 69% of their total goals, demonstrating superior organization and efficiency.
A defining weekend: Everton collapses from a corner kick, Brentford beat Liverpool from a throw-in.
Prior to the last round of matches, Everton were the only team not to have conceded a goal from set pieces. However, they suffered a 0-3 defeat against Tottenham, with both goals coming from corners scored by Micky van de Ven. In the same round, Brentford beat Liverpool 3-2; Dango Ouattara's opening goal originated from a long throw-in – a prime example of meticulous preparation in set pieces.
Arsenal: discipline, physicality, and tactical attention to detail.
Manager Mikel Arteta has built an Arsenal team that is physically strong, disciplined in every movement, and especially intense in set pieces. Center-back Gabriel has been praised by Jamie Carragher as "the most influential player in the league right now" – not only in his role in attacking aerial duels but also in organizing the space for his teammates to exploit.
In corner situations, Arsenal optimize both the near and far posts, using shielding, positional changes, and diagonal runs to create scoring opportunities. As the frequency and quality of set pieces increase, goals from these scenarios become a stable source of profit – true to the philosophy of seeking "the smallest profit" in modern football.
Set-piece goal map: the numbers don't lie.
19% of all goals in the league came from corner kicks – the highest in history. Arsenal scored 11 goals from set pieces, accounting for 69% of their total. In the context of an increasingly fierce competition, this performance allows Arsenal to maintain their points-scoring momentum without relying entirely on open play.
Brentford: long throw-ins are their weapon.
Under Thomas Frank, Brentford transformed long throw-ins into a genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Each throw-in was a carefully designed second ball: contesting the landing point, clearing the 5.5-meter area, and pushing forward into open space. Their 3-2 victory against Liverpool, with the opening goal coming from a throw-in, is proof of the value of detailed coaching and repeated practice.
Mid-table teams take advantage of the situation.
Bournemouth have scored 5 goals from set pieces and are currently second in the table. Tottenham have a similar record and are right behind them. For teams without overwhelming attacking firepower, a high conversion rate from set pieces is a leverage point to catch up with the leading group.
Set-piece defense is key to winning the game.
Conversely, Nottingham Forest and West Ham have both conceded 10 goals from set pieces and are struggling at the bottom of the table. With the points difference between teams narrowing, protecting corners, free kicks, and throw-ins is not just a minor detail but could determine the final standings.
Main statistics by source
| Team/Statistics | The data is as stated in the source. |
|---|---|
| The entire tournament (2025/26) | 19% of goals came from corner kicks – the highest in history. |
| Arsenal | 11 goals were scored from set pieces, accounting for 69% of the total goals. |
| Everton | Before the last round: had not conceded any goals from set pieces; lost 0-3 to Tottenham with 2 goals from corner kicks. |
| Brent Ford | Winning against Liverpool 3-2; Dango Ouattara's opening goal came from a long throw-in. |
| Bournemouth | 5 goals from set pieces; second place. |
| Tottenham | Set-piece performance is similar to Bournemouth's; ranking just behind them. |
| Nottingham Forest, West Ham | Each team conceded 10 goals from set pieces. |
Tactical significance: science and performance
Debates about "aesthetics" will continue, but tactical evolution is a reality: set pieces are now a test of discipline, data analysis, and physical strength. When this formula delivers consistent results, from Arsenal to Brentford, from Bournemouth to Tottenham, ignoring it means diminishing one's competitiveness.
The message of the season is clear: if you can't neutralize them, learn to participate in set pieces – where the smallest percentages determine the biggest outcomes.