The Importance of Set-Pieces in Modern Football
Hello and welcome to my new BBC Sport column, Going Direct.
In this column, I will explore various aspects of modern football, examining tactics and man-management while comparing traditional methods with contemporary trends.
To begin, we must discuss the growing significance of set-pieces, arguably the defining narrative of this season.
When I was managing Stoke City during our promotion to the Premier League in 2008, my emphasis on dead-ball situations and long throws was often dismissed as outdated. However, I always recognized their crucial role in the game.
My primary responsibility as a manager was to secure results. While I adopted a pragmatic approach, I also had a clear purpose: to implement strategies that would help my team win.
The most critical areas on the pitch are at both ends, rather than the midfield. It is essential to defend one goal while scoring in the other.
This season, both attacking and defensive set-plays have gained prominence, with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal setting the standard. Nevertheless, this concept is not new.
Long before Arteta's tenure, many young coaches and managers were already aware of the advantages set-pieces could provide, and today's clubs are reaping the benefits.
Why Are Set-Pieces So Important?
Reflecting on my notes from when Stoke entered the top flight, we recognized the necessity of mastering set-pieces in the attacking third, as they could significantly influence our results.
In closely contested matches during our early Premier League years, set-pieces often determined whether we earned points or faced relegation, prompting us to devote considerable effort to perfecting them.
Arteta and Arsenal are applying the same principles now, albeit at the top of the table.
Like me, he understands the importance of clean sheets and acknowledges that many of his matches last season ended in draws. Consequently, he has sought ways to convert those draws into victories.
Last season, over 20% of all non-penalty goals in the Premier League were scored from corners or free-kicks. Arteta has likely analyzed these statistics and recognized that capitalizing on set-pieces could enhance his team's chances of success.
Arteta's ambition is to secure the Premier League title for Arsenal. His squad is filled with talent, capable of outplaying opponents in open play, maintaining clean sheets, and now consistently scoring from set-pieces.
Stoke Comparisons Are a Compliment
I find it commendable that Arteta has embraced set-pieces. Like me, he likely disregards any criticism that comes his way.
Regardless of your club or approach, external noise and criticism are inevitable. However, if you are winning, your supporters will be thrilled.
This was evident when Arsenal fans cheered, singing 'set-piece again, ole ole ole' as Eberechi Eze capitalized on Declan Rice's free-kick for their winning goal against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
It's amusing to recall that a decade ago, I faced criticism from Arsenal supporters, while Arsène Wenger dismissed us as a 'rugby team' due to our corner routines and long throws.
This is why I hold Arteta in high regard; he recognized the value of set-pieces back then and understood their potential to benefit his team.
I've seen the humorous image of him dressed as me, complete with my baseball cap, and I appreciate it—he makes me look good!
Wenger may be disapproving of Arsenal's current tactics, but I know Arteta views these comparisons to Stoke as a compliment, as do other Premier League managers adopting similar strategies.
Wenger never seemed to value set-pieces and struggled against direct teams like ours, often voicing his frustrations about managers like Sam Allardyce and myself.
While I understand his perspective, it seems that few managers today share his complaints, even those with differing styles.
Fashions Change, What Matters Is Winning
Recently, I watched an interview with Pep Guardiola, where he was asked to criticize the resurgence of set-pieces and long throws. Instead of negativity, he acknowledged that if he had a player capable of launching the ball effectively, he would utilize that strategy as well.
The fact that it is Arsenal implementing these tactics, rather than Stoke, certainly changes the narrative. With Arteta at one of the world's most prestigious clubs, the spotlight is on them.
Thomas Frank has employed similar tactics at Brentford, and they have proven successful for him at Tottenham. Following their victory over Everton, he celebrated with the fans, pointing out Micky van de Ven, who scored two excellent goals from set-pieces.
As these strategies continue to yield results, more people are beginning to recognize their significance. It recalls the atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium during my time at Stoke, where the crowd would erupt in anticipation of a Rory Delap throw-in—it became an event.
Arsenal is experiencing a similar phenomenon now; as they prepare for corners, the crowd's excitement builds even before the ball is in play. The expectation and pressure they place on opponents is remarkable. While criticism still exists, the praise Arteta receives is well-deserved.
One notable difference today is that, unlike during my tenure at Stoke, Crystal Palace, or West Brom, where I managed all set-pieces myself, Arteta has brought in Nicolas Jover as a specialist coach, leading to substantial success.
Perhaps Big Sam and I were trendsetters after all, but I want to emphasize that I remained unfazed by the criticism we faced, fully aware of the value we brought to our club.
Some viewed our methods with disdain, but within the club, we found humor in the situation, knowing it was yielding results, and we kept our strategies to ourselves.
Sean Dyche echoed this sentiment, discussing the ever-changing nature of football fashion during a recent podcast, where he mentioned me and Stoke's long throws.
For Dyche, as for me, the ultimate objective is winning.
Tony Pulis was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.