Arsenal’s set-piece prowess became a source of mockery for rival fans throughout the 2025-26 season.
At the World Cup, it could be a smart ploy for England to embrace it.
Arsenal scored more Premier League goals from set pieces than any other team last season, much thanks to the meticulous work done under set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
The Premier League winners have been, quite bizarrely, constantly criticised for their reliance on them, but Gunners fans have embraced it with “set piece again” chants at the Emirates.
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But England may end up being very grateful that several of their players have spent the season perfecting this very weapon.
Thomas Tuchel has been clear about wanting set-piece specialists in his squad, and he has three of England’s most effective operators from these situations in Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke.
That is probably another reason for Madueke’s selection, despite scepticism, particularly given Saka’s lack of fitness.
Tuchel has already credited Arsenal’s players with having a broader impact on the camp, and their set-piece expertise could be another example of that influence translating to the international stage.
Meanwhile, they have the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Dan Burn as dangerous targets to aim for in the box.
Rice in particular has become one of the most reliable dead-ball takers in the country, his delivery responsible for a large chunk of his assists for both Arsenal and England.
Saka’s set-piece contribution has been similarly valuable, his delivery setting up Kane’s opener against Albania back in November.
Early evidence at this World Cup shows an Arsenal-inspired set-piece plan can work
England’s analysts do not need to look far for proof that this approach can work. It’s been evident in multiple World Cup matches already.
Bosnia and Herzegovina went ahead against Canada from a corner. Czech Republic equalised against South Korea from a Vladimir Coufal long throw. And closer to home, Martin Odegaard provided the assist for Leo Ostigard’s headed goal in Norway’s win over Iraq on Tuesday night, suggesting that Arsenal’s players can be just as adept at exploiting these situations on the international stage.
England’s own history backs this up too. Their 2018 World Cup run to the semi-finals came off the back of scoring half of their goals from set-pieces.
Whatever the mockery Arsenal received for how they won the Premier League, England’s reliance on the very same approach could prove to be exactly the edge they need this summer.
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