Graeme Souness has reignited debate around Arsenal’s set-piece dominance, claiming Mikel Arteta’s side “get away with” tactics that would be punished elsewhere on the pitch.
Arsenal’s rise under Arteta has been built on control, structure and marginal gains. Few areas highlight that more than their set-piece routines, which have become one of the most effective weapons in English football. Yet while many praise the innovation behind those moments, Souness has taken a very different stance.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester City, the former Liverpool midfielder questioned the physical approach Arsenal adopt inside the box, particularly when targeting goalkeepers.
Souness questions Arsenal’s physical edge
Souness believes Arsenal benefit from officiating leniency when executing their set pieces.
He told the Daily Mail:
“Arsenal get away with a hell of a lot by crowding goalkeepers and blocking goalkeepers. You block anyone on the pitch, anywhere else on the pitch, a centre-half blocks a centre forward as he’s trying to make a run and that’s a foul.”
The criticism centres on Arsenal’s use of movement and contact in crowded penalty areas, where attackers and defenders compete for space before the ball is delivered.
Souness went further in his assessment of officiating standards, adding:
“I just think we’ve got daft referees. We’ve got poor referees who don’t really understand the game. They know all the rules from the first page to the last one, but nuances of the game they don’t get.”
Set pieces remain a major Arsenal strength
Despite the criticism, Arsenal’s effectiveness from set pieces is undeniable.
Arteta’s side have consistently turned dead-ball situations into high-quality chances, combining intelligent movement with precise delivery. Much of that success stems from the quality of service, particularly from midfield areas, with Arsenal’s control and delivery profiles continuing to evolve this season through players like Declan Rice.
Souness himself acknowledged the quality within Arsenal’s execution, even while criticising the method.
“I love the term ‘free-kick guru’. Their guru is all about fouling the goalkeeper. That’s as simple as, black and white,” he said.
“Now, of course, there’s people like Gabriel Saliba who are really brave and will put their heads where most people wouldn’t put their feet, and they attack these balls that Declan Rice whips in, and they’re great quality.”
That admission highlights the dual reality of Arsenal’s approach: elite delivery paired with aggressive positioning.
Fine margins ahead of Wembley
The debate arrives at a crucial moment.
Arsenal face Manchester City with silverware on the line, and set pieces could prove decisive in a tightly contested final. Matches of this magnitude often come down to moments rather than patterns, and Arsenal’s ability to capitalise on dead-ball situations gives them a clear edge.
Souness’ comments may divide opinion, but they underline the growing influence of Arsenal’s tactical evolution.
Arteta has built a side that maximises every detail; whether critics label it clever or controversial, the results speak for themselves.
