For years, set-pieces were treated as mere interruptions in the rhythm of football – routine corners, speculative free-kicks, and hopeful long throws that rarely stirred excitement. But somewhere between data-driven analysis and tactical evolution, the sport rediscovered a forgotten art.
Set-pieces are no longer secondary; they are strategic blueprints. What we’re witnessing today is a silent revolution – the rise of set-piece tactics and the specialists behind them who’ve turned dead-ball moments into a science of precision and mastery.
From Chaos to Calculation
It used to be about instinct. A tall defender at the back post, a midfielder to swing it in, and everyone else crowding the box in hope. But modern football has rewritten that script. Clubs now dissect every corner, free-kick, and throw-in like a choreographed play. Analytics departments track the trajectory of deliveries, the positioning of blockers, and even the body language of opposing defenders.
Last season, teams such as Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Everton, and Aston Villa turned set-piece tactics into a central part of their game plan. Brentford, meanwhile, were among the pioneers under Thomas Frank – their routines were instrumental in their debut season in the Premier League era.
Every action carried intent, and that’s what transformed set-pieces from moments of chaos into crafted precision.
The Rise of Set Piece Coaches
The evolution didn’t happen by chance. It came with the elevated importance of set-piece coaches – a new breed of specialists quietly shaping outcomes from the training ground.
Gianni Vio, once a banker and now one of the most influential figures in the set-pieces department, famously worked with Italy during Euro 2020, helping them score four goals from set-pieces en route to lifting the trophy. His impact inspired others across Europe to take note.
At Arsenal, Nicolas Jover has become Mikel Arteta’s secret weapon. Since joining in 2021, the Gunners have consistently ranked among the Premier League’s top teams for set-piece goals. His attention to detail is almost obsessive – players practice variations of corners for different opponents, adjusting runs and blockers depending on the defensive shape they’ll face.
Then there’s Austin MacPhee at Aston Villa, whose routines last season (PL 2024/2025 Campaign) helped in providing an estimated 28% of Aston Villa’s goals from corners and attacking free kicks. Villa’s discipline in these moments often tips matches in their favour, showcasing how preparation can replace unpredictability with purpose.
The influence of set-piece coaches has rippled across the football pyramid. What once felt like marginal gains now feels like a vital competitive edge.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Data reinforces this shift. Of the 1,115 goals scored during the 2024/2025 Premier League season, roughly 21% of Premier League goals originate from set pieces, which puts that figure at 230 set-piece goals, and this figure seems to only keep rising each season.
Just eight Matchweeks into the 2025/26 Premier League season, there have been 209 goals. The amount of set-piece goals scored is mouth-jarring, with that number being a whopping 56 goals scored. That’s no coincidence. It’s the product of structured repetition, deliberate positioning, and the pursuit of set-piece mastery.
It’s no longer about having one good taker; it’s about synchronisation. The first run drags defenders, the second opens space, and the delivery meets the third. What looks simple to the viewer is the result of hours of drilling, camera reviews, and data refinement.
A Tactical and Psychological Weapon
Set-pieces don’t just affect scorelines – they shape rhythm and mindset. A single goal from a dead-ball situation can shift momentum instantly. For teams that struggle to unlock defences in open play, there’s often a sense of control and composure during rehearsed set-piece routines.
One team that consistently thrives in these moments is Arsenal. They scored a league-leading 17 set-piece goals in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign – a tally matched only by Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. Whenever Arsenal win a corner, there’s an expectation that something decisive might follow. Even their opponents appear unsettled, knowing how frequently the Gunners turn those situations into goals.
Managers now view these moments as emotional levers. A well-executed routine can lift a stadium; a poor defensive setup can deflate one. The margins are microscopic, but their impact is monumental.
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Set Piece Tactics: The Modern Art Form
In this new era, set-piece mastery is not just about scoring – it’s about expression. The short-corner routines of Brighton, the decoy runs, and the disguised deliveries of Arsenal all tell a story of creativity within constraint. It’s artistry born from structure.
Football’s evolution has always been cyclical. Where tiki-taka once dominated and gegenpressing redefined intensity, set-piece tactics seem to be carving out its own era. They reflect a game obsessed with detail – where the difference between glory and defeat might lie in a perfectly timed block or a rehearsed flick-on.
The Final Word
What was once dismissed as a mere afterthought has become one of football’s most efficient scoring mechanisms. The rise of set-piece coaches and the growing pursuit of set-piece mastery prove that innovation doesn’t always come from new formations or signings – sometimes, it’s rediscovered in the corners of the pitch.
As data deepens and coaching becomes more specialised, one truth stands tall: the modern game belongs to those who leave nothing to chance, not even the dead ball.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 26.10.2025