Arsenal’s Corner Tactics Under Scrutiny as Brighton Manager Calls for Clarity

Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, a key component of their Premier League title challenge, is facing increased scrutiny, with Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler accusing the Gunners of exploiting ambiguities in the rules to waste time during corner kicks. The debate extends beyond Brighton, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently expressing concern that an over-reliance on set-pieces diminishes the enjoyment of Premier League matches.

Time-Wasting Allegations

Ahead of Wednesday’s match between Brighton and Arsenal, Hurzeler voiced his frustrations over the lack of clear guidelines regarding the time allowed to take corner kicks. He specifically cited Arsenal as a team that takes an excessive amount of time at set pieces when in a leading position. “When Arsenal has a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner,” Hurzeler stated according to The New York Times.

Hurzeler believes this practice significantly reduces actual playing time, suggesting that games often feature only around 50 minutes of active play compared to a potential 65 minutes. He emphasized the importance of clear rules to ensure fairness and a better experience for fans, stating they “want to see a football event and they don’t want to see maybe 50 minutes the ball is in the game and 40 minutes the game is not running.” The Independent reported.

Broader Concerns About Set-Piece Rules

The criticism isn’t solely focused on time-wasting. Hurzeler also highlighted inconsistencies in officiating regarding blocking and grappling during set-piece situations. He noted that referees sometimes call fouls for blocking, although at other times they do not, creating a “grey area” in the interpretation of the rules.

This sentiment echoes concerns raised by Liverpool’s Arne Slot, who believes the increasing focus on set-pieces detracts from the overall quality and entertainment value of the Premier League.

Arsenal’s Set-Piece Success

Despite the criticism, Arsenal’s set-piece strategy has been remarkably successful this season. As of March 3, 2026, the Gunners have scored 16 goals from corners, tied for the most in a single Premier League campaign with Oldham Athletic (1992-93), West Bromwich Albion (2016-17), and Arsenal themselves in 2023-24. They have scored a total of 21 goals from set-pieces (including penalties), surpassing Manchester United’s 15.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, responded to the criticism by stating he was “upset” that his team hadn’t scored even more from corners and conceded fewer from set-pieces. He defended his team’s approach, stating it’s “part of the job” and that they aim to be the “best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game.”

IFAB Rule Changes

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmaking body, is addressing concerns about time-wasting in other areas of the game. They will empower referees to use a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks when players are perceived to be delaying the restart of play. However, there are currently no plans to implement a similar rule for corner kicks.

The debate surrounding Arsenal’s corner tactics and the broader issues with set-piece rules highlight the ongoing evolution of the game and the challenges of balancing tactical innovation with fair play and the flow of the match.