Arsenal have increasingly made set-pieces their hallmark this season, turning dead-ball situations into a potent scoring weapon. Across all competitions, the Gunners have netted 32 goals from non-penalty set-pieces, 24 of which have come from corners. Their Premier League corner tally now stands at 16 following a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, in which they scored twice from corners.
Just one more corner goal would see them break the record for most corner goals in a single Premier League season. Previously, Arsenal themselves achieved 16 corner goals in the 2023–24 season, while Oldham Athletic in 1992–93 and West Bromwich Albion in 2016–17 matched that figure. The new record for Arsenal now appears imminent.
Nicholas Jover’s Influence
Central to Arsenal’s set-piece success is 44-year-old Nicholas Jover. When he renewed his contract in 2025, a special clause was introduced awarding him a bonus for successful dead-ball situations. Since joining from Manchester City in 2021, Jover has revolutionised Arsenal’s set-piece strategy, transforming them from one of the league’s less effective teams into true set-piece specialists.
Jover began his coaching career at Brentford in 2016 under Dean Smith and Thomas Frank. Though the high cost of living in West London almost prompted him to leave, a renewed contract persuaded him to stay. Prior to Brentford, he served as a video analyst at Montpellier in France and also worked under Niko Kovač with the Croatian national team.
Corner and Free-Kick Tactics
Arsenal’s corner routines are highly choreographed. Typically, players like Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka signal with raised hands, prompting teammates in the box to execute Jover’s intricate movements. Players may converge on the back post, as seen against Chelsea, where centre-back Gabriel rushed into position to connect with the ball.
Another variant sees players approach the goal from behind the far post, creating space for key targets like Gabriel, who is allowed freedom to adjust his starting position. This enables him to time his run and leap perfectly to meet the ball.
Arsenal’s free-kick routines are similarly sophisticated. Players initially line up in deliberate offside positions and gradually retreat as the kick is prepared. On Rice’s signal, the team surges into the box before retreating to onside at the final moment, maximising disruption and scoring potential. These tactical nuances underpin Arsenal’s set-piece efficiency this season.
Set-Piece Statistics
| Type | Goals Scored | Competition | Notable Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corners | 16 | Premier League | Chelsea 2–1 Win |
| Free-Kicks | 8 | All Competitions | Liverpool & City Matches |
| Total Set-Pieces | 32 | All Competitions | Various |
When asked if Jover could be poached by another club as a head coach, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I don’t know. It really depends on what path a person wants for their career. Whether he chooses to move elsewhere or stay here, it’s a very personal decision.”
With Jover’s guidance and the club’s refined dead-ball strategies, Arsenal appear poised to break more records and solidify their reputation as set-piece masters in the Premier League.