Real Madrid, Arsenal and the Return of the Set-Piece

The Art of the Corner, why going back to basics works

For all the obsession with tiki-taka and the perfect team goal, football is remembering an older truth: a well-delivered corner, a crowded six-yard box and a committed set-piece coach can still decide the biggest games.

It doesn't really matter how you do it, although some finishes are certainly easier on the eye than others...

Real Madrid's stunning Champions League comeback proves just how crucial set-piece goals have become.

Talk to anyone who knows the game even slightly, and they'll say the same thing: to succeed in the modern era, you need a squad full of athletes.

Players who not only have the physical power to survive the intensity of elite football, but who can keep running from the first minute to the last.

Why Pretty Goals Don't Win Titles 

Not every goal has to be beautiful.

Look at Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham two ideal examples of the kind of players you would identify as essential to their teams in today's game.

While it's true the game has evolved beyond recognition over the last 15 to 20 years, the objective remains identical.

Winning still comes down to putting the ball in the back of the net.

ABSOLUTE CINEMA https://t.co/Ynqcx4XUcC

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 14, 2026

It doesn't really matter how you do it, although some finishes are certainly easier on the eye than others.

If you told Jose Mourinho and his Real Madrid side trailing 3-1 to Roma in the Champions League that they were only allowed to score in one specific way, his response would be unprintable.

What Real Madrid's Late Show Really Tells Us About Modern Football

Does the idea of 'before and after Pep' really capture how much the modern game has changed?

As it happened, Los Blancos stripped it back to basics and, with seven minutes left at the Stadio Olimpico, struck three times from set pieces to turn the game around and win 4-3.

Those closing minutes were Real Madrid in a nutshell. A side that never accepts defeat and will use every weapon at its disposal to get the job done.

That escalated quickly 😉 https://t.co/ypVr7FsJfS

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 15, 2026

For them, there is no need for the pretty passing carousels of their great rivals Barcelona, or for every goal to be perfect.

Perhaps there is still something to be learned from what came before, even if it doesn't sit comfortably with purists in today's game.

🚩 @Arsenal have now scored 9️⃣ match-winning goals from corners, the most ever in a Premier League season! https://t.co/MMeHSDziSo

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 1, 2026

The idea of 'before and after Pep' perhaps captures the difference between eras and how football has changed more accurately than anything else.

And it's not just Europe's most decorated side who are turning corners into a key part of their attacking arsenal.

The Numbers Behind The Corner Kick Revival

Figures from Opta show that roughly 18.7% to 19% of all Premier League goals now come from corners.

Then there is the efficiency of that specific set-piece to consider, with sides such as Manchester City and Arsenal turning between 10% and 19% of their corners into goals, while others convert as few as 2%.

Corner performance by Premier League clubs - 2024/25 season

Arsenal have been especially effective with their set-piece routines, and even when opponents know what is coming in 2024/25, for instance, 47 of their first 50 corners of the season were inswingers 

 they still cannot cope if the delivery is accurate enough.

Some may mock the concept of a set-piece coach, given the fairly niche tactical insight they offer, but you cannot say that a few of them do not more than justify their salaries.

Liverpool's Throw-In Transformation Proves Specialists Work

Even Liverpool's throw-in coach, Thomas Gronnemark, delivered instant results after being brought in by Jurgen Klopp, despite plenty of sniggering from outside the club at the appointment.

The data shows Liverpool jumping from 18th in the Premier League for retention under pressure from throw-ins at 45.4% in 2017/18 to 1st at 68.4% in his first season.

Gronnemark's mantra of 'long, fast and clever' certainly helped Liverpool keep possession and create chances, and corner-taking should be viewed in much the same way.

Sometimes clubs do need to be a bit more basic in how they approach the game, and you will not hear any Real Madrid fans complaining that all three late goals against Roma came from set-pieces.

The match was there to be won by any means necessary.

Your team probably takes 40–50 throw-ins every match. Most clubs still underestimate them. That might be costing you points. After working with clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Ajax, Brentford, Dortmund and FC Midtjylland, one thing has become very clear to me: Throw-ins are still one of the biggest untapped advantages in football. As a freelance throw-in coach, I’ve now been part of 18 titles and 5 promotions in international football — including 3 titles and 2 promotions this season, plus a Champions League final with Arsenal on Saturday. I work with a “Long, Fast and Clever Throw-in Philosophy”, always tailored to the team and coaching staff. Depending on the team, clubs I’ve coached have typically focused on: A. Long throw-ins (Brentford, FC Midtjylland) B. Fast and clever throw-ins (Liverpool, Ajax, Dortmund) C. A complete throw-in strategy combining long, fast and clever throw-ins (Arsenal) The process is simple: 1. We discuss your playing style, formation, and current throw-in approach. 2. I analyse your throw-ins to identify strengths and weaknesses. 3. I visit your club for 2–3 days of tailored throw-in coaching with players and staff. The goal is not only to improve the team immediately, but also to educate coaches so the work continues long after I leave. Most clubs already have a set-piece coach — but very few have specialist throw-in knowledge. If you want to improve your throw-ins before next season, feel free to reach out. #premierleague #bundesliga #laliga #throwincoach #thomasgronnemark

— Thomas Gronnemark (@ThomasThrowin) May 25, 2026

Arsenal Turn Crowding The Six-Yard Box Into An Art Form

Leaving aside the recent grappling at corners for this discussion, Arsenal have also demonstrated a greater willingness than any other side to pack the area right in front of goal.

Opta data indicates that an average of 3.8 players position themselves well inside the six-yard box for the Gunners' corners, the highest figure in the Premier League.

With most of their deliveries aimed into that zone as well, instantly putting the opposing goalkeeper under maximum pressure, it is hardly surprising it has proven so effective for them.

Arsenal have scored 18 goals from corners so far this season, a new record for the most in a single campaign: https://t.co/tp8oXPYem8

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 20, 2026

It is worth remembering that the north Londoners are still seen as an excellent footballing side despite their obvious success from set-pieces.

If the Real Madrid comeback showed us anything, it is that returning to basics should not be viewed as a retrograde step.

There must always be room in the game for a well-crafted set-piece, and the teams that execute them best deserve credit, not mockery.