Arsenal are now viewed by many as the best set-piece team in the Premier League, if not all football. The Gunners have scored more from corners, free-kicks, and penalties this season (11) than any other top-flight English side.
This change in attacking philosophy comes in contrast to the latter-day Arsene Wenger period, when the north London outfit were more likely to concede from such situations. Mikel Arteta, however, has flipped the script, and Arsenal have become almost like bullies on match days, threatening from almost every set-piece.
It's got to the point where those who are trying to put down the Gunners have even accused them of being a modern-day Stoke City. Tony Pulis' side were known for their physical style of play, often relying on Rory Delap's infamous long throw-ins to cause havoc against opponents.
Pulis recently wrote a column on comparisons between the two clubs, but some of his comments have not gone down well with Arsenal fans.
Pulis: 'Arsenal Fans Used To Call Stoke A Rugby Team'
stoke city tony pulis
Writing his new BBC Sport column, Pulis – who led Stoke to the Premier League in 2008 and stayed with the club until 2013 – claimed that his tactics back then are the same which now have Arsenal at the top of the league.
He explained: "I think it's brilliant that Arteta has embraced set-pieces and, like me, I don't think he will give a damn about the people who want to knock him for doing it.
"Whichever club you are at, and whatever your approach, you are always going to be in a situation where there is going to be noise and criticism from outside but if you are winning games then your supporters will be absolutely delighted about it."
However, there was one line in the column that rubbed Arsenal fans the wrong way. Pulis boldly claimed:
"I do find it funny that 10 or 12 years ago, I was taking a lot of flak from Gunners supporters and Arsene Wenger was saying that Stoke were a rugby team because of our corner routines and long throws."
It seemed as though Pulis was trying to call out Arsenal fans for being hypocrites, changing their views on that style of football. Gunners supporters were not having any of it though, as they hit back online.
Ryan Shawcross pointing
Writer and podcaster Tim Stillman was one of those quick to point out the main issue with Pulis' claim. He wrote: "Not to rouse sleeping dogs, but I think it was less the 'setpieces' we took a distaste to and more the 'snapping players legs and then pretending to be the victims' thing we didn't much like."
Stillman is, of course, alluding to the 2010 incident, when midfielder Aaron Ramsey broke his leg at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross caused the double fracture, leaving Wenger furious.
Defending his centre-back, Pulis played the 'nice lad' card: "Ryan comes from a lovely family and he's a smashing kid. There's no way in a million years he would ever go out to break someone's leg". Wenger hit back, saying:
"Spare me the articles about how nice Shawcross is because the same thing happened [with Martin Taylor] after Eduardo's [leg-break] injury."
To this day, Stoke fans still boo Ramsey whenever he returns to the stadium. With that in mind, it's no wonder Arsenal fans are a little sensitive to Pulis' latest comments. One wrote:
"It was more of the ‘snapping legs’ than the long throws to be honest." While another added: "This is such a weird myth that seem to have become mainstream. Stoke under Pulis beat Arsenal ONCE. One time. Arsenal won every other game. You were a rugby team because you snapped Aaron Ramsey’s leg and then your horrendous fans mocked it for years."
Another simply said: "Is he serious???"
Even neutral observer Dan Cook, the man behind popular Crystal Palace blog HLTCO, weighed in on the matter, noting: "I’m pretty sure Arsenal fans took exception to the snapping of Aaron Ramsey’s leg and not the frequency with which you launched the ball into the six-yard box."