Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta are pursuing Premier League success through contrasting strategies. While league leaders Arsenal have excelled with 33% of their goals originating from set pieces this season, Manchester City largely avoids this tactic.
Across the Premier League, 27% of all goals now come from set pieces, a figure unseen in England's top flight since the 2009-10 season. Guardiola, known for his intricate possession-based style since arriving in 2016, remains faithful to his philosophy, with City ranking second-to-last in goals scored from set plays at 10.5%.
"Set-pieces have started to be important," Guardiola told reporters. "Football has been played in so many ways since it was created. Every manager plays in different ways. How boring would it be if all the managers played in the same way."
Guardiola emphasized adaptability, stating, "I have to adapt. If I don't like, I don't watch but I have to adapt." Arsenal, currently five points ahead of City, face Brighton & Hove Albion, whose manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged Arsenal's set-piece prowess as a significant strength.