Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed growing frustration with the Premier League’s increasing reliance on set-pieces, stating that the modern game no longer brings him “joy to watch” and that his “football heart doesn’t like” the current emphasis on dead-ball situations.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s midweek clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Slot highlighted Arsenal’s recent 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, March 1, 2026 dubbed an “ugly victory” by some where both goals came from corners. He noted that Arsenal have scored 16 goals from corners this season (three more than any other team), equalling the highest tally in a single Premier League campaign.
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Statistics underline the trend: 27.5% of all non-penalty goals in the 2025/26 Premier League season have come from set-pieces the second-highest rate since 2009/10. Liverpool themselves scored all three of their first-half goals in a 5-2 win over West Ham United from corners on Saturday.
Slot, whose side have led the league in set-piece goals (excluding penalties) in 2026 since former set-piece coach Aaron Briggs departed on December 30, 2025, admitted the approach is now “the new reality” of English football.
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“You have to accept it,” Slot said. “I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues the Eredivisie, for example I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in the face and the referee still says ‘just go on’.”
The Dutchman contrasted the current style with the fluid, possession-based football of Barcelona’s golden era 10–15 years ago, which he said made Sunday evenings “something to look forward to.”
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“Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not a joy to watch for me but they are always interesting because it’s so competitive. That is what makes this league great: everyone can win against everyone.”
Slot suggested the set-piece obsession could soon filter down to youth and grassroots levels, joking: “I wouldn’t be surprised if you went to watch a Sunday League match now and the 16-year-olds were completely focused on set-pieces.”
The comments have reignited debate among Premier League managers and pundits, with some coaches privately criticising Arsenal’s physical approach including bullying, shoving and challenging goalkeepers as detrimental to the spirit of the game.
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Arsenal’s set-piece prowess under Mikel Arteta has been a cornerstone of their title challenge, helping them restore a lead at the top of the table. However, Slot’s remarks reflect a growing divide between traditional “beautiful football” ideals and the pragmatic, results-driven reality of modern elite competition.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Akai Akeobong
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