The PGMOL has been called upon to crack down on Arsenal's corner tactics after viral images showed Manchester United shot-stopper Senne Lammens being mobbed
09:38, 27 Jan 2026
Mikel Merino scored against Manchester United
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PGMOL have been told to crack down on the corners(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
PGMOL have been called upon to take action against goalkeepers being mobbed at corners, following a goal scored by Arsenal against Manchester United.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg is adamant officials need to adopt a firmer approach to deter attacking teams from exploiting such situations. Despite suffering a 3-2 defeat, the Gunners showcased their set-piece prowess when Mikel Merino scored a controversial goal after a corner in the 84th minute.
United's goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, was swamped and failed to effectively intercept the ball, allowing the Spaniard to capitalise - but Clattenburg says the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited should outlaw such tactics.
Senne Lammens of Manchester United claims the ball ahead of Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United
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Senne Lammens was put under pressure from Arsenal corners(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Clattenburg is calling for more stringent regulation of this scenario, reports the Mirror. The ex-Gladiators referee is of the opinion that awarding more free kicks will swiftly put an end to this tactic.
Furthermore, the retired official believes this would simply bring the game in line with how football is played in European competitions. "It's clear that this has become more common when set-piece coaches were employed by clubs to get any advantage possible," Clattenburg told United In Focus.
"It's something the PGMOL and Premier League need to address, and any blocking on the goalkeeper must be punished by a free-kick." Yes, more fouls will be given initially, but when teams realise they won't be allowed to use this tactic, they'll stop.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Mikel Merino of Arsenal reacts after he had scored the equalising goal (2-2) during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Arsenal suffered a late defeat against Manchester United despite the controversial equaliser(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
"We see this tactic used less in the Champions League as referees punish more!" However, not everyone agrees that goalkeepers require additional protection from players crowding their area. Former Manchester United and Everton defender John O'Kane believes teams simply need to be more strategic in how they defend these situations.
"It ain't rocket science," he stated. "Coaches have to start leaving two or three players on the halfway line. "It's something the PGMOL and Premier League need to address, and any blocking on the goalkeeper must be punished by a free-kick.
"Stoke [a nickname being used to describe Arsenal] have found a loophole in s*** housery of obstructing the goalkeeper."
United's players seemed unfazed following their victory, with Amad even joking about Arsenal's set-piece skills. Mikel Arteta's squad have scored 26 goals from dead-ball situations this season.
Amad during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
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Manchester United ace Amad mocked Arsenal's reliance on set-pieces on social media(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
The Ivory Coast international responded to one fan saying: "Your only hope is corner," accompanied by a laughing emoji.
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However, Arteta took full responsibility for the home loss to United. "I take full responsibility [today], they have to take full responsibility for what they've done for seven months, in the manner that they behaved, how much they want it," he declared. "And now, in the process of winning, you have to lose or draw. It's how you react to that.
"Now we have another opportunity, the best place to talk is on the pitch, in three days' time, when we play in the Champions League again.
"And the better the energy is around everybody - around the staff, myself, the players, and especially our supporters, much better. And much better we'll play freely, we'll flow, and we'll continue to win a lot of matches, I'm sure."