Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about Arne Slot's comments regarding the dominance of set pieces in the Premier League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interact prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, and Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interact prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola said Manchester City cannot afford to avoid or complain about set-pieces if they want to be competitive in the Premier League. The Blues boss said he agreed with Arne Slot 'in some aspects' after the Liverpool manager said he no longer enjoyed watching games in the top flight, but that City have to adapt or be left behind.
Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday saw all three goals scored from corners and means the Premier League leaders have now scored 16 from corners, equalling the competition record (held by the 1992/93 Oldham team and the 2016/17 West Brom side) with nine matches still to play. Both the dominance of set-pieces in the league this season and the physical duels that are involved in them have raised questions about whether the rules should be changed.
Guardiola would not share his opinion on how those incidents are refereed - although he has complained on several occasions about fouls on his goalkeeper that haven't been given - but said that the set-piece revolution led by Arsenal was here for every team to deal with whether they liked it or not.
"Set-pieces have started to be important part of the strategies. It was different when I started as a manager. When I was a young boy we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal," he said. "I remember perfectly when I was a young boy, so nothing has changed in that way.
"It is true Arsenal dictate a little bit how they do it and it is an important role. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much but the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry [started] to make three points and everyone adapted, now so many teams do it. It is part of the evolution and part of the dynamics.
"You can sit and complain but you have to adapt. It's part of the game. I know the game is stopped with set-pieces, it is not dynamic but it is part of the game. You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is whistled and conducted in the Premier League.
"Every country has a specific way to do it and every club have specific ways to play with the managers and the teams. I understand completely the reason why Arne [Slot] said that and in some aspects I agree."
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