Arsenal have increasingly made set-pieces a defining feature of their game, turning dead-ball situations into a prolific source of goals. This season, the Gunners have scored 32 goals from non-penalty set-pieces across all competitions, 24 of which have come from corners. Following their 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea on Sunday, in which they scored twice from corners, Arsenal’s tally of corner goals now stands at 16.
With just one more corner goal, they are poised to break the record for most corner goals in a single Premier League season. Previously, 16 corner goals had been scored by Arsenal in 2023–24, Oldham Athletic in 1992–93, and West Bromwich Albion in 2016–17. It appears only a matter of time before Arsenal set a new record.
Nicholas Jover’s Crucial Role
A key figure behind Arsenal’s set-piece success is 44-year-old Nicholas Jover. When he renewed his contract in 2025, a special clause was introduced that awards him a bonus for successful dead-ball situations. Since joining from Manchester City in 2021, Jover has overseen a remarkable transformation, turning the Gunners into one of the league’s most efficient set-piece sides.
Jover began his coaching career at Brentford in 2016 under Dean Smith and Thomas Frank. Despite the high cost of living in West London almost prompting him to leave, a new contract persuaded him to remain. Prior to Brentford, he worked as a video analyst at Montpellier in France and also assisted Niko Kovač with the Croatian national team.
Corner and Free-Kick Tactics
Arsenal’s corner routines are meticulously orchestrated. Typically, players such as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka signal with raised hands, prompting teammates in the box to move according to Jover’s plan. Players may converge on the back post, as seen against Chelsea, where centre-back Gabriel surged into position to connect with the ball.
In another variation, 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 strategy is equally sophisticated. Players initially line up in deliberate offside positions and gradually move back as the kick is prepared. On Rice’s signal, they sprint into the box and return onside just before the ball is struck. These intricate routines are central to Arsenal’s set-piece efficiency.
Set-Piece Statistics
| Type | Goals | 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 Matches |
When asked last month whether Jover might be recruited by another club as a head coach, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “It depends entirely on the individual’s career ambitions. Whether he chooses to go elsewhere or remain here is a very personal decision.”
With Jover’s guidance and Arsenal’s refined dead-ball strategies, the club is on course to break records and further cement their reputation as set-piece masters in English football.
