Mikel Arteta has given his Arsenal players an unusually long break before the most important week of their season, as the manager believes loosening control could be key to finally delivering Premier League and Champions League glory. After the emotional exhaustion of Sunday's events, Arteta did something he has not allowed often this season: he loosened his grip.
The Arsenal players were granted three days off, followed by a planned barbecue on Thursday. This rare opportunity allows them to clear their heads and relax together as a group before gearing up for the final push to make history. The club is now just three games away from more glory than Arsenal has ever experienced. Winning three games would end their longest wait for an English title and secure their first ever Champions League trophy.
Set-Piece Dominance and VAR Controversy
Opta revealed on Thursday that Arsenal would be the champions with the highest proportion of set-piece goals, at 36%, if they win the league. This is six percentage points higher than the next closest, Manchester United in 2007-08. The stat is even more striking when compared to the lowest on the list, Manchester United 2006-07, with just 8%.
Many at Arsenal point to the transformation from the more expansive team of 2022-23, and some bristle at the idea that they alone have driven this shift in the Premier League. Brentford manager Keith Andrews was quick to note earlier in the season that his team were the original pioneers of this approach.
What is undeniable is that a calculating coach like Arteta clearly identified an under-explored advantage and pursued it aggressively. Set-piece grappling has characterised the entire campaign, with Arsenal thriving from football's own 'Wrestlemania'. One defining image of the season has been masses of bodies in the area, with the nadir arguably coming in Everton's 1-0 home loss to Manchester United in February.
The controversy over Callum Wilson's disallowed goal felt like the logical conclusion of that trend, even if the melee around David Raya was difficult to interpret. Referee Chris Kavanagh summed up the confusion in the audio released by PGMOL on Tuesday, saying: 'I don't know what you're trying to show me, give me a clue.'
Clubs' Influence on Officiating
Some figures at other clubs were perplexed by elements of the VAR exchange, feeling officials too blithely skirted over other potential fouls in the box, especially when it was directly mentioned: 'I don't like Trossard not facing the ball.' One obvious response is that they could not do otherwise, because this is exactly what many of the same clubs wanted.
For all the criticism of the Premier League and its football this season, the league has departments dedicated to considering what the competition should look like, including the right financial regulations to allow more potential winners. The Premier League is also aware that comparisons will be made with how FIFA referees set-pieces at the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel has had to reassess some ideas from earlier in the season, knowing that officiating will differ.
An issue with the Premier League is that all of this is ultimately subject to the shareholders: the clubs. They might complain individually but collectively have significant influence. When the Premier League consulted all club coaching staff and executives before the 2025-26 season, there was a consensus. They discussed grappling and holding, and the general demand was for a much higher threshold. Some sources with knowledge of the consultations say it was clear that most clubs were looking for greater marginal gains, with more scope for interpretation.
Last Sunday was the culmination of all this. A further issue is the classic problem of allowing more leeway in an ultra-competitive environment. Those involved push the limits further, resulting in 17 penalties for holding or pulling this season, a significant increase despite the sense that much more goes unpunished.
There is some frustration within the Premier League over the debate, due to uncertainty about how the wider game wants referees to deal with this. It will be reassessed in the close season.
What Lies Ahead
For now, the set-piece dominance has not won anything for Arsenal. They are still grappling with their own nerves and anticipation. They have to seize the moment. Manchester City, Burnley, and Crystal Palace may yet divert expectations. But for Arsenal, the path to glory is clear: win three games and make history.
