Image Credits: Imago Images
Arne Slot was very outspoken earlier this week regarding how he views the Premier League as a product and advertisement for football.
The Liverpool boss admitted that his “football heart doesn’t like” how dominant set-pieces have become, even saying many games are now “not a joy to watch” because so many goals arrive from corners and free-kicks rather than flowing moves.
Slot argued that in other European leagues there is more value in open-play entertainment, whereas in England matches are increasingly decided by dead-ball routines and wrestling in the box.
That debate has naturally swept Arsenal into the firing line. Arteta’s side have equalled the Premier League record for goals from corners this season, with 16 already and a huge percentage of their total coming via Nicolas Jover’s meticulously drilled routines. It has even been suggested that the Gunners could become the ugliest title winners if they lean so heavily on those set plays.
However, Mikel Arteta has somewhat agreed with Slot’s assessment, but claims the rules have to change if the public wants to see less focus on set-pieces
“I would like to play with three extra players in my half to get some beautiful football and always play against a free man,” Arteta said as quoted by the Times. “You want to watch that football, you have to go to a different country because in the Premier League, for the last two or three seasons, this is not the case.
“It’s going to be a different game unless we change the rules because the evolution of the game is that. Four years ago it was a completely different game.”
“I’m upset that we’re going to score more [from them] and that we concede as well,” he said. “I was really upset by the way we conceded against Chelsea. The amount of set pieces they scored, Manchester United is doing so well. The same, I was at Man City, [we] used to work a lot on them.”
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard tells Arne Slot what he “has to do” vs Wolves on Friday
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