Pep Guardiola Urges Teams to Adapt to Set-Piece Threat

Pep Guardiola on Set Pieces, 'it's part of the game

Manchester City hosts Nottingham Forest tonight at the Etihad Stadium, looking to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games. Erling Haaland's availability is uncertain due to injury.

Pep Guardiola says teams shouldn't complain about set pieces...

Pep Guardiola is urging Premier League clubs to adapt to the growing importance of set-pieces, saying teams can't afford to complain and must evolve. This comes after Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration that set-pieces are “sucking the joy” out of the league.

Guardiola's Manchester City is currently five points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand. Arsenal has been dubbed “Set Piece FC” due to their impressive 33% goal tally from dead-ball situations. Guardiola believes this trend is part of the game's evolution and teams must adapt quickly.

Guardiola himself has remained faithful to his possession-based style, but acknowledges the need to adjust to the changing landscape. City will face Nottingham Forest this Wednesday, looking to close the gap on Arsenal.

A win is crucial for City to keep their title hopes alive - anything less would let Arsenal extend their lead at the top if they beat Brighton later this week.

Erling Haaland's Availability: A Waiting Game

Erling Haaland's availability for Manchester City's clash with Nottingham Forest is still uncertain, with Pep Guardiola saying the decision will be made after Tuesday's training session. The Norwegian striker missed Saturday's 1-0 win at Leeds United due to a minor injury, which Guardiola described as “not a big issue.”

Haaland's absence is a significant blow to City's title hopes, given his impressive form this season with 22 goals in 27 Premier League matches. If he doesn't make it, Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush are likely to lead the attack.

“He feels much better, but yesterday we didn't train. Today, we are so we will decide after that.”

“We will do the same for Nico (O'Reilly) after the training.”

Arsenal's Corner Mastery: A Trend Sweeping the Premier League

Arsenal's dominance in set pieces, particularly corners, has been a defining feature of their title charge this season. Their corner routines have yielded 16 goals, equalling the Premier League record set by Oldham and West Bromwich Albion. This trend has prompted Liverpool boss Arne Slot to adapt, scoring three goals from corners against West Ham. Mikel Arteta's side has perfected the art of holding the opposition before the ball is delivered, making them a force to be reckoned with.

"You can complain but you have to adapt" 👀

Pep Guardiola responds to Arne Slot's comments suggesting that the Premier League is 'no longer a joy to watch' and compares the current set-piece trend to basketball played by the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics. pic.twitter.com/NaJP5GStnW

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 3, 2026

Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment with the growing reliance on set-pieces in the Premier League, saying his “football heart doesn't like it” and that corners “are not a joy to watch.” Pep Guardiola agrees teams must adapt to this trend, stating “it's part of the dynamics and you can complain (but) you have to adapt and it's part of the game.”

Guardiola's Manchester City is currently five points behind leaders Arsenal, who've mastered set-pieces, scoring 33% of their goals from dead-ball situations. Guardiola acknowledges Arsenal's strength but sticks to City's possession-based style.

“Set-pieces have started to be important. It was different when I started as a manager,” he said.

“When I was a young boy, we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. I remember perfectly, so nothing has changed in that way. 

“Arsenal dictate how they do it, and it is an important aspect. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much, but now so many teams do it. It is part of the dynamics. 

“You can sit and complain, but you have to adapt. It's part of the game. You have to adapt, especially in the way it is conducted in the Premier League. Every country has a specific way to do it, and every club have specific ways they play. I understand completely why (Arne Slot's comments) and in some ways I agree.”

🚨 Pep Guardiola again on set pieces now dominating the scene in Premier League: “You can complain or you adapt, and it's part of the game...”. pic.twitter.com/6KNehtQvzj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 3, 2026

Manchester City is looking to extend their unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium to 14 games when they host Nottingham Forest tonight. Since their Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen in November, City has gone undefeated in their last 13 home fixtures. Forest, on the other hand, is struggling with relegation and hasn't scored in their last 66 attempts, making them a tough opponent.