Arsenal Football Club has long been known for its fluid, attacking style under Mikel Arteta. But in the 2025-26 season, it’s their mastery of dead-ball situations that has stolen the headlines. They have an astonishing 23 goals from set-pieces across all competitions by mid-January 2026.
Unpacking the 23-Goal Tally
This statistic not only underscores their tactical evolution but also highlights how set-pieces have become a weapon in modern football. This has turned potential stalemates into decisive victories. As Arsenal sits atop the Premier League with 49 points from 21 games. They have scored 40 league goals overal. Their set-piece prowess has been a key factor in their title charge.
The figure of 23 set-piece goals this season is the highest among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. Arsenal have surpassing even powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. This tally includes contributions from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. By January 3, 2026, Arsenal had already notched 15 set-piece goals in the Premier League alone. This includes 12 from non-penalty set-pieces and 3 from penalties, leading the division in this category. Since then, additional games have pushed the all-competitions total to 23, demonstrating consistent threat from restarts.
This marks a continuation of Arsenal’s upward trend. In the 2023-24 season, they scored 22 set-piece goals (excluding penalties) in the Premier League, the joint-highest in the league. The following year, 2024-25, saw 21 such goals. It makes Arsenal just the second team in Premier League history to achieve 20+ non-penalty set-piece goals in consecutive seasons, after Wimbledon in the 1990s. In 2025-26, they’ve maintained this edge. Their set-pieces account for approximately 45% of their Premier League goals (18 out of 40). A staggering proportion that has compensated for occasional dips in open-play creativity.
The set-piece kings strike again 🚩👑
Arsenal have now scored 2 or more goals from corners for the third time this season, more than any other PL club 💥 pic.twitter.com/kZLSrUOJu2
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 11, 2026
Breakdown by Type
While exact breakdowns for the full 23 goals aren’t publicly itemized in real-time, patterns from available data reveal Arsenal’s versatility. In the Premier League, corners have been their bread and butter. The early-season examples including Riccardo Calafiori’s header against Manchester United on August 17, 2025. Also, Jurriën Timber’s strike versus Leeds United on August 23. The free-kicks and indirect set-pieces, such as throw-ins leading to goals, contribute significantly. The Gunners’ players like Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino adding to the tally in matches against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, respectively.
The penalties make up a smaller but crucial portion. They have three in the league so far, often converted by Viktor Gyökeres or Bukayo Saka. Across all competitions, the estimates suggest around 60% of the 23 goals stem from corners, 20% from free-kicks, 15% from penalties, and the rest from throw-ins or quick restarts. This diversity prevents opponents from focusing on one area. We have seen their 69% set-pieces goal ratio early in the season (11 out of 16 goals by late October). FBref data for the Premier League shows Arsenal with six set-piece goals by mid-season. However, this likely undercounts due to classification differences, emphasizing their efficiency.
Key Contributors
Arsenal’s success owes much to individual brilliance and collective organization. Defenders like Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, and new signing Riccardo Calafiori dominate aerial duels, heading home numerous corners. The midfielders like Declan Rice and Noni Madueke lead in deliveries. Moreover, Rice topping open-play crosses (21) and corners (43 combined) by October 2025. Bukayo Saka’s dribbling (10 successful out of 24 attempts) creates fouls leading to free-kicks. While Gyökeres boasts the highest expected goals (xG) at 3.04, converting chances from spots.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, Arteta’s trusted lieutenant since 2021, is the architect behind this. His innovative routines, involving blockers and zonal disruptions, have turned Arsenal into “set-piece merchants” in rivals’ eye. However, with the results that have silenced critics.
Tactical Insights
Arteta’s emphasis on physicality and detail has transformed set-pieces from an afterthought to a core strategy. The squad’s height average (over 6 feet in key positions) aids dominance, while training focuses on variations to exploit weaknesses. For instance, inswinging corners from Rice target the near post, causing chaos as seen in Calafiori’s goal at Old Trafford. This approach mitigates injuries to attackers, allowing defensive solidity (fewest goals conceded in the league) to pair with opportunistic scoring.
X posts from fans and analysts highlight the “unbelievable” nature. One noted Arsenal’s 56% set-piece goal percentage by late October, contrasting with 0.55 open-play goals per game. Yet, this reliance raises questions—can they sustain it against adapting defenses?
Comparisons Across Europe
Arsenal’s 23 goals dwarf competitors. In the Premier League, Leeds (14) and Chelsea/Manchester United (13 each) trail far behind. Across Europe, no team matches their output, with Borussia Dortmund at seven in the Bundesliga. Historically, this pace could shatter records; if maintained, Arsenal might exceed their own 22 from 2023-24. Liverpool, defending champions, lag with just four set-piece goals, exposing defensive frailties.
Impact on the Season
This stat has propelled Arsenal to the Premier League summit and a strong Champions League position. Wins like the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds and 1-0 at Manchester United hinged on set-pieces. It provides a buffer during low-scoring spells, with 23 clean sheets in 2025 underscoring balance. However, over-reliance could be risky if open-play xG (1.49 per game) doesn’t improve.
Future Prospects
As the season unfolds, Arsenal’s set-piece machine could decide trophies. With fixtures against top rivals looming, maintaining this edge—perhaps hitting 40+ by May—would be historic. Arteta’s vision, blending flair with pragmatism, positions them as title favorites. The 23-goal mark is already historic, what follows could be legendary.