Arsenal’s Set-Piece Dominance: A Historic Title Chase

As the Premier League season progresses, Arsenal stands out as the clear favorite to capture the title, aiming to end a 22-year championship drought. Currently, as we enter the mid-January fixtures, the Gunners hold a six-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa, having remained atop the table since early October.

Despite a disappointing 0-0 draw against Liverpool in their most recent match, Arsenal’s position remains strong. Under the management of Mikel Arteta, the team has secured more league victories (15) than any other side this season and boasts the second-highest number of goals scored in the league, totaling 40—just five fewer than City.

The football displayed by Arsenal is both consistent and effective, yet it is evident that they have relied significantly on goals from set pieces. The Gunners have outperformed their title rivals in dead-ball scenarios, including free kicks, corners, and own goals. So far this season, Arsenal has netted 24 goals from set pieces in all competitions, leading all teams in Europe’s top five leagues. Notably, during a recent Carabao Cup match against Chelsea, they recorded their 18th goal from a corner this season.

In the Premier League, with 21 matches played, Arsenal’s set-piece goals and own goals account for a higher percentage than any title-winning team in the competition’s history. They have scored 14 goals from set pieces this season, representing 35% of their total goals, along with three own goals contributing an additional 7.5% to their tally.

If current trends continue, Arsenal could become the most prolific team in Premier League history with regard to goals scored from set pieces and own goals. Their set-piece goal percentage exceeds that of any previous title-winning side, with Manchester United’s 2007-08 champions being the closest competitors at 27.5%.

Manchester United also holds the record for the most own goals scored in their favor during a title-winning season, benefiting from six such goals in both the 1996-97 and 2012-13 campaigns. The 2012-13 season also witnessed United setting a record for the most set-piece goals scored in a single season by a champion, a record that Arsenal appears poised to surpass this year.

While Chelsea holds the record for the most penalties awarded to a Premier League champion with 11 in the 2010-11 season, Leicester City’s 2015-16 title win saw 14.71% of their goals coming from the penalty spot. As it stands, Arsenal has only converted three penalties in the league this term, representing 7.5% of their goals, indicating they have room for improvement if they aim to be the most successful champions in terms of set-piece, own-goal, and penalty scoring.