Arsenal Lead Set-Piece Trend as NFL Tactics Spread
In a thrilling 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday, Arsenal showcased their tactical prowess, clinching the win through a masterclass in corner routines. All three goals in the match stemmed from these meticulously planned set pieces, highlighting a broader shift in the Premier League. As football evolves into a more structured spectacle, the influence of NFL tactics is undeniable, with teams like Arsenal at the forefront of this set-piece trend. Fans often lament the game’s lost spontaneity, where star players once dazzled in open play. Yet, modern professionals insist that player quality, coaching, and tactics have reached unprecedented heights. Both perspectives hold truth, and examining how Premier League sides are borrowing from American football reveals why the beautiful game feels increasingly choreographed—like a series of high-stakes set pieces.
This growing resemblance to the NFL isn’t just anecdotal; it’s backed by data and innovative coaching. As we delve into this fusion of strategies, we’ll explore how NFL tactics are transforming set pieces, making them a reliable weapon in an otherwise unpredictable sport.
The Rise of Set Pieces: Echoes from the NFL
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, a tactical visionary, recently captured this evolution perfectly in an interview. The closest thing to what American football is, he said, is if every [soccer] play was a set piece. Every play represents a set piece for us. McVay’s insight rings true as Premier League teams prioritize these moments more than ever. This season, an impressive 28.4% of goals have originated from set pieces—the highest rate in the past decade. Even throw-ins contribute 3.2% of goals, another record high.
What’s fascinating is McVay’s personal connection to this trend. He’s close friends with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, both young innovators reshaping their sports. Their shared ideas likely fuel Arsenal’s dominance: since the 2023-24 season, the Gunners have netted 36 corner goals in the Premier League, outpacing every other team by 15. It’s no coincidence that Arteta’s side leads the set-piece trend, drawing inspiration from NFL precision to turn dead-ball situations into scoring opportunities.
NFL Tactics in Football: Pre-Determined Routes and Clever Blocking
At the heart of this shift are NFL tactics infiltrating football’s set-piece routines, emphasizing precision over chaos. Traditionally, corners and free kicks relied on lumping balls into crowded boxes, banking on aerial duels won by physicality. Now, teams choreograph player movements like NFL plays, with athletes running pre-set routes to create space for unmarked teammates.
A prime example is the NFL’s rub route, where offensive players run parallel paths to indirectly obstruct defenders, freeing a receiver under man-marking pressure. Arsenal’s winning goal against Newcastle embodied this. William Saliba’s subtle forward run crowded Newcastle keeper Nick Pope’s path, preventing him from claiming the cross. Gabriel then rose unmarked to head home. It wasn’t blatant obstruction but a calculated rub—a pre-planned movement mirroring NFL schemes, exploiting space without drawing fouls.
Deliberate blocking is another NFL tactic gaining traction in the Premier League. Picture offensive linemen in American football screening defenders to protect the quarterback; football teams are adapting this for goalkeepers. Chelsea’s trio of corner goals against West Ham this season owed much to Liam Delap’s role in neutralizing keeper Mads Hermansen. Delap positioned himself to impede Hermansen’s dash off his line, allowing Chelsea’s attackers free rein in the box. This off-ball screening echoes NFL blocking, turning set pieces into controlled assaults.
Even basketball’s influence creeps in via NFL-inspired choreography. Crystal Palace’s strike against West Ham featured midfielder Adam Wharton standing firm at the far post, screening West Ham defender Marc Guehi. This static block—known as screening in basketball—mirrored rub routes’ indirect disruption but with intent. Palace captain Marc Guehi broke free, unmarked, to score. Such tactics blend sports, prioritizing structure to outmaneuver opponents.
The Coaching Revolution: Managers as Play-Callers
Football’s fluidity sets it apart from the NFL’s discrete plays or tennis’s one-on-one battles. With 22 players roaming a vast pitch, open play demands real-time decisions, injecting unpredictability that thrills fans but challenges coaches. McVay admires Arteta’s balance: What I think is so impressive about what [Arteta] does is he’s translating a vision… giving players ownership and autonomy just based on the flow of [the game].
Yet, managers like Arteta and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca are taming this chaos. Both favor possession-dominant styles, keeping the ball far from danger to minimize risks. Arteta’s Arsenal, once critiqued for pragmatic build-up, now weaves riskier passes through the middle—credit to their evolution. But the core strategy endures: control open play conservatively, then unleash in structured set pieces. These scenarios allow exhaustive preparation, scouting opponents’ setups and weaknesses days in advance.
Across the league, this approach amplifies coaches’ influence, akin to NFL play-callers dictating from the sidelines. By maximizing set pieces, managers reduce football’s inherent variance, turning games into predictable battles they can win through superior planning. Arsenal’s lead in this set-piece trend exemplifies how NFL tactics are empowering tacticians, making every dead ball a potential game-changer.
As the Premier League season unfolds, this cross-sport pollination promises more innovation. Teams adopting NFL tactics aren’t just scoring more; they’re redefining football’s tactical landscape, blending American precision with European flair. Arsenal’s dominance signals a future where set pieces aren’t afterthoughts but the game’s new heartbeat. Whether you’re a die-hard Gunners fan or a tactics enthusiast, this trend underscores football’s endless evolution—structured yet spectacular.
