Arteta doubles down after rivals' set-piece criticism

Mikel Arteta has responded to criticism of Arsenal's tactics from rival managers by saying he is "upset" they "haven't scored more" from corners.

The Gunners' prowess at set-pieces continues to fuel their title charge, with Sunday's victory over Chelsea the ninth time they have scored a match-winning goal from a corner this season.

But they have also been at the forefront of recent discussions around grappling and blocking at set-pieces, with Everton boss David Moyes identifying Arteta's side as the trailblazers for the use of "dark arts".

Fabian Hurzeler, whose Brighton said host the Premier League leaders on Wednesday, has called for stricter rules around set-pieces and criticised Arsenal for time-wasting.

Seagulls head coach Hurzeler claimed the Gunners sometimes wait "over one minute" to take their corners.

Arteta said such criticism was "part of the job" as he doubled down on their approach.

"I am upset we haven't scored more and that we have conceded [from set-pieces] as well," Arteta told a news conference.

"We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That is the trajectory and the aim of this team."

Arsenal have scored the most goals (58) and conceded the fewest (22) in the Premier League. Their goal difference of +36 is therefore the highest.

They are way ahead on goals scored from set-pieces, including penalties, with 21 compared to Manchester United's 15 in second.

Sixteen of their goals this season - 27.6% - have come from corners. Spurs are top of that particular table, having scored 13 of their 38 goals from corners - a total of 34.2%.

Arteta said the increase in set-piece threat was because football is "evolving" and becoming "more and more difficult" from a tactical perspective.

He added: "Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play - whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation - after that, they know exactly what they have to do and everything is almost man to man.

"So it is not going to be a different game, unless we change the rules, because the evolution of the game is that."

Statistics show that, on average, no Premier League team take longer to restart from corners than Arsenal.

Asked why he believes Arsenal's approach to set-pieces has received the level of attention it has, Hurzeler said: "There are no clear rules any more [around] how much time you can spend taking a corner or a throw-in.

"Some of the ways teams are blocking, there's no real rule. Sometimes the referee whistles and it's a foul, sometimes it isn't a foul or they don't whistle.

"[We need] a clear rule on how much time you can take for a corner, a free-kick, because no-one recognises it. When Arsenal have a corner and they are leading, sometimes they spend over one minute just to take a corner."

Hurzeler also pointed to the responsibility he feels clubs have to ensure match-going fans are being provided with value for money.

"Every supporter pays a lot of money to watch our games and should see the same game time," Hurzeler said.

"They want to see a football event, not maybe 50 minutes when the ball is in the game and 40 minutes when the game is not running," Hurzeler said.

"But we won't change these rules immediately. We know how important set-pieces are. At the moment it's a big trend in the league and we definitely need to adapt to it."

Matches involving Hurzeler's Brighton have the ball in play 56.2% of the time - the fifth-highest in the league, above seventh-ranked Arsenal (55.7%).

The Gunners' average delay time over free-kicks, goal-kicks and throw-ins is in keeping with other Premier League clubs.

But their average 44.35-second delay at corners is almost 50% longer than that of Chelsea, who they defeated with their 15th and 16th league goals from corner routines this season.

There have already been three more goals scored from corners in the Premier League this season (138) than in the whole of the previous campaign.

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick said the situations inside the penalty area at set-pieces had "gone too far".

"It wasn't long ago we were told you couldn't lay a hand on anyone in the box and it would be stamped out," Carrick said at his news conference on Tuesday.

"It's crept in. The success of set-pieces, corners in particular, probably in terms of being able to put so many bodies close together, has made more teams do it because the success rate is so high.

"It's understandable why there are so many teams doing it. As a game, it doesn't feel like we've got that balance right."

His comments were made a day after Liverpool boss Arne Slot said he finds most Premier League games no longer a "joy to watch" and his "football heart doesn't like" the increasing emphasis on set-pieces.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he understood Slot's comments and agreed "in some ways", but added: "It's part of the game."

"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," Guardiola said.

"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."