Arsenal's 'Dark Art' is causing fear across England

Arsenal has transformed corner kicks into a “dark art” of the Premier League, as Mikel Arteta’s squad has netted 50 goals from corners since the 2022/23 campaign.

In modern football, where every tactical detail is analyzed to the millimeter, Arsenal has discovered its own “dark art” in corner situations. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta and set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, Arsenal’s corners are no longer routine plays but a finely tuned machine designed to outsmart opponents.

Since the start of the 2022/23 season, the “Gunners” have scored 50 Premier League goals from corners, more than any other team. Tottenham follows with 34, Liverpool with 32, and West Ham with 29. These numbers speak volumes: no team in England executes corners better than Arsenal.

Remarkably, this success is not due to luck. Every kick, every run, even every header inside the box is meticulously planned by Jover and Arteta. They have turned corners into a strategic game where opponents think they are defending but are actually falling into a perfect trap.

Last season, Arsenal scored only 3 goals from corners after the early stages. This season, they have already scored 7 — more than double — and all have been decisive. The aerial battles of Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice’s cutting runs, and Timber’s surprise bursts all seem pre-arranged.

Arsenal’s “darkness” lies not only in scoring but also in the psychological pressure they impose. Every time Jover signals at the corner, opposing defenders hold their breath. They know what’s coming but cannot stop it.

However, instead of praise, Arteta and his players receive sarcasm. Some rival coaches claim Arsenal “doesn’t play beautiful football,” only scoring from corners. But for Arteta, a goal is a goal, and his “dark art” is simply another way to win.

Speaking after the victory over Fulham, Arteta said frankly: “It’s great when we score from corners. Against teams that defend deep and don’t push up, it’s an opportunity to position players perfectly and assign roles. We have to capitalize on that.”

Since Nicolas Jover arrived, Arsenal has not only upgraded tactics but also changed the perception of football. Corner kicks, once seen as minor details, have now become a strategic weapon helping the “Gunners” revive their championship dreams.