The Rise of Set-Piece Goals: Uncovering the Strategies Behind Arsenal's Success and Liverpool's Struggles

The prevalence of set-piece goals has increased significantly in the Premier League, with an average of 0.8 per game this season, up from 0.6 last term and 0.5 in the 2020/21 campaign. This surge is attributed to the growing emphasis on dead-ball situations, with teams like Arsenal excelling and others, such as Liverpool, struggling. The increase in set-piece goals has been accompanied by a decline in open-play goals, with this season's average of 1.8 per game down from 2.2 last season and 2.4 in the campaign before that. The shift towards set-piece efficiency is evident, with 15 out of 20 Premier League clubs now employing set-piece coaches. Arsenal's success in this area can be attributed to their specialist set-piece coaches, including Nicolas Jover and Thomas Gronnemark. The team's commitment to maximising set-pieces is reflected in their hiring of Gronnemark, a former Liverpool throw-in coach. The average time spent preparing for corners has increased steadily over the last 10 seasons, from 26 seconds in 2016/17 to 36 seconds this term. Arsenal continue to lead the rankings for set-piece goals, excluding penalties, with a total of 14, while Liverpool have scored only three non-penalty set-piece goals. Liverpool's issues with set-pieces are not limited to attacking, as they have struggled defensively, conceding 13 set-piece goals this term. The team's use of outswinging corners, which are statistically less likely to lead to goals, has contributed to their struggles. In contrast, Arsenal's use of inswinging corners, which target the six-yard box, has been effective in generating close-range chances. The difference in delivery type between the two teams is significant, with Arsenal using inswingers 81% of the time, compared to Liverpool's 48%. The success rate of inswingers is higher, with 5.3% leading to goals, compared to 3.6% for outswingers. The trajectory of an inswinger also opens up the possibility of scoring directly from a corner. Liverpool's corner delivery locations have been less effective, with only 36% of their corners hitting the six-yard box, compared to Arsenal's 58%. The use of outswingers has resulted in a higher proportion of corners landing further away from goal, and therefore in less dangerous areas. Jamie Carragher has attributed Liverpool's issues defending set-pieces to a zonal marking system that leaves too much space to opposition players. The team's use of man-to-man marking, combined with three players in a zone, has created an overload outside of the box, making it easier for opposition players to get a shot in. Long throws have become increasingly popular in the Premier League, with the average number of long throws per game more than doubling to nearly four. Brentford have launched the most long throws this season, but Leeds have been the most effective, with 28 shots worth 3.46 xG from 75 long throws. The trend towards set-pieces is expected to continue, with teams scrambling to find an edge in this area.