Arsenal have scored zero non-penalty set-piece goals in seven Premier League games this season
Arsenal, the Premier League's set-piece kings last season with 25 non-penalty set-piece goals, have failed to score from a dead ball in their first seven games of the new campaign. The Gunners are one of only four sides yet to register a non-penalty set-piece goal, alongside Liverpool, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
- Competition: Premier League 2025/26
- Arsenal's set-piece goals last season: 25 non-penalty set-piece goals (including a record 19 from corners)
- Current season: Zero non-penalty set-piece goals in seven games
- Set-piece expected goals (xG) this season: 2.50
- Set-piece xG per game: 0.36 (down from 0.56 last season)
- Corners per game: 4.7 (down from 5.7 last season)
What was said
"My personal opinion is that we've done better things than last year in the first five games, but we have scored no goals. I think that's the reality of set-pieces. Sometimes we score a goal, or they score an own goal, and it's a set-piece goal, but we didn't do things well."
"It's an element of luck sometimes and I think this season we should have scored four and we haven't. So, if we maintain that, I think throughout the season we'll be in really good numbers, especially if we generate the amount of situations that we do."
"You have to adjust to the rules and what is allowed and what is not. But that opens another window to do things that we want to do. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opponent as well. They defend better, they put more attention on that."
Arteta's insistence that luck is the primary factor is backed by the underlying numbers. Arsenal have generated set-piece chances worth 2.50 expected goals this season, yet have failed to convert any. Only Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have underperformed by a larger margin relative to their set-piece xG.
However, the data also reveals a drop-off in the volume and quality of chances created. Arsenal's set-piece expected goals per game has fallen from 0.56 last season to 0.36 this term, and their corner count has decreased significantly.
The numbers
- 25 – Non-penalty set-piece goals scored by Arsenal last season (Premier League high)
- 19 – Record number of corner goals scored by Arsenal last season
- 5 – Consecutive Premier League seasons in which Arsenal have scored at least 15 non-penalty set-piece goals
- 2.50 – Arsenal's set-piece expected goals this season (ranking them among the biggest underperformers)
- 0.56 – Arsenal's set-piece xG per game last season
- 0.36 – Arsenal's set-piece xG per game this season
- 4.7 – Arsenal's corners per game this season (lowest in nine campaigns)
- 5.7 – Arsenal's corners per game last season (a 17% decrease this term)
- 7 – Arsenal's average corners per game in the two seasons before last (a roughly 30% decrease this term)
- 15% – Proportion of Arsenal's corners taken short this season (up from 9% last term)
- 37% – Proportion of Arsenal's goals last season that came from non-penalty set-pieces
Why Arsenal's set-piece threat has diminished
Arsenal's set-piece prowess was built on the arrival of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover in 2021. The Frenchman has been described as a "genius" and remains an active presence on the touchline. Under his guidance, Arsenal became the Premier League's most feared dead-ball side, scoring a record 19 corner goals last season.
This season, several factors have combined to blunt that threat. The most obvious is the Premier League's clampdown on grappling, holding and blocking from corners, which has led to a higher percentage of corners resulting in free-kicks for defending teams. Arteta acknowledged the need to adapt: "You have to adjust to the rules and what is allowed and what is not. But that opens another window to do things that we want to do."
Arsenal's corner delivery has largely stayed consistent, with the majority still sent into the six-yard box. However, they are targeting the near post more frequently and aiming directly at the goalkeeper less often, as officials now offer keepers greater protection. The short-corner experiment has been limited: all of their 15% short corners came on the opening day against Coventry.
The bigger issue is the reduced frequency of corners. Arsenal are averaging just 4.7 corners per game, down from 5.7 last season and nearly seven in the two campaigns prior. That 17% decrease from last term and 30% drop from the previous two years means fewer opportunities to deploy their set-piece routines.
There have also been glaring misses. In Sunday's win at Nottingham Forest, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes headed good chances over the bar from Declan Rice deliveries. Earlier in the season, Riccardo Calafiori missed an excellent opportunity from a Martin Odegaard free-kick against Chelsea, and against Aston Villa, Zion Suzuki saved Rice's header from a Bukayo Saka corner.
Last season, Arsenal scored nearly four goals more than expected from set-pieces, ranking among the league's best finishers. This year, they are underperforming. Arteta remains confident the tide will turn: "If we maintain that, I think throughout the season we'll be in really good numbers."
Analysis: Arteta's faith in the process is justified, but adaptation is needed
The underlying numbers suggest Arsenal's set-piece fortunes will improve. Generating 2.50 expected goals without scoring is a statistical anomaly that is unlikely to persist over a full season. The quality of deliveries from Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka remains high, and the aerial threat of Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz is proven.
However, the drop in corner volume is a concern. Arsenal's dominance in possession and territory has not translated into as many corners as before, possibly due to a shift towards more open-play creation. Arteta has emphasised the importance of scoring in "many ways", and the Gunners have shown improvement in open play this season, scoring and creating more from open play.
The Premier League's clampdown on blocking and grappling has forced Arsenal to adapt their routines. With referees protecting goalkeepers more, the near-post flick-on and the deliberate blocking of markers have become less effective. Arsenal may need to innovate further, perhaps by utilising more short corners or varying their delivery to create chaos in the box without infringing the new guidelines.
Nicolas Jover's influence will be crucial. He has earned a reputation as one of the best in the business, and his ability to tweak routines mid-season could be the difference between Arsenal reclaiming their set-piece crown and enduring a sustained dip. The return of corners to a more typical volume, combined with better finishing, should see the goals return. But matching last season's record-breaking 25 non-penalty set-piece goals may be a stretch.
Talking points
- Is Arteta right to blame luck, or is the drop-off in set-piece goals a structural issue caused by the new refereeing guidelines?
- Arsenal's corner count has fallen by 17% from last season – are they getting into fewer crossing positions, or are opponents defending deeper?
- Should Nicolas Jover be under pressure to adapt his routines more quickly, given the new clampdown?
- With 37% of last season's goals coming from set-pieces, can Arsenal afford to rely more on open play to make up the shortfall?
What happens next
Arsenal face a crucial run of fixtures where set-pieces could prove decisive. Their next opportunity to end the drought comes against a side known for their defensive organisation. Arteta will be hoping his side can generate more corners and convert the chances they create. The set-piece coach Nicolas Jover will be working overtime on the training ground to find new ways to breach the Premier League's tightened rules. If Arsenal can rediscover their dead-ball threat, they will remain a formidable force. If not, they may need to rely even more heavily on open-play improvement to sustain a title challenge.
Frequently asked questions
Have Arsenal scored any set-piece goals this season?
No, Arsenal have not scored a non-penalty set-piece goal in their first seven Premier League games this season. They are one of only four teams yet to do so.
Why have Arsenal's set-piece goals dried up?
Mikel Arteta attributes it to luck and believes Arsenal should have scored four set-piece goals based on chances created. However, the underlying data shows a drop in set-piece expected goals per game from 0.56 to 0.36 and a decrease in corners per game from 5.7 to 4.7, partly due to the Premier League's clampdown on grappling and blocking.
What is Arsenal's set-piece expected goals this season?
Arsenal have generated set-piece chances worth 2.50 expected goals in the Premier League this season, according to Opta. Only Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have underperformed by a larger margin.
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