Is This the End of Arsenal’s Strongest Weapon? PGMOL’s New VAR Focus Threatens Gunners’ Set-Piece Dominance
As the new Premier League season approaches, Arsenal fans and staff alike may have reason to worry. A significant VAR shake-up by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is set to clamp down on a specific infringement that has been one of Arsenal’s most effective weapons in recent seasons—’holding’ during set pieces. This development could force Mikel Arteta back to the drawing board, as the Gunners’ success from set pieces has been a cornerstone of their rise to title contention.
The Art of ‘Holding’
Arsenal has become synonymous with the dark arts of football, particularly the tactic of ‘holding’ during set pieces. This strategy, often involving subtle blocking or obstructing opponents, has been finely tuned under the guidance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. The results speak for themselves: Arsenal scored 22 goals from set pieces excluding penalties last season, the most in the league, and led the league in goals via corners with 16. Defensively, they were just as impressive, conceding only six set-piece goals, the second-fewest in the Premier League.
Jover’s expertise in exploiting these marginal gains has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence as title contenders. The ability to score and defend from set pieces has given the Gunners a crucial edge, especially in tight matches where dead-ball situations can be the difference between victory and defeat.
PGMOL’s Crackdown: A New Challenge
However, the Premier League’s governing body for referees, PGMOL, is set to introduce stricter enforcement of holding and blocking infringements during set pieces, as part of a broader VAR shake-up. This move could spell trouble for Arsenal, whose reliance on these tactics has been a key aspect of their strategy. The crackdown is expected to be particularly rigorous in the early weeks of the season, as PGMOL looks to set a precedent for how such incidents will be handled moving forward.
For Arsenal, this change could not come at a worse time. With the Gunners looking to build on their impressive 2022-23 campaign and challenge for the Premier League title once again, losing one of their most effective weapons could derail their plans.
Impact on Arsenal’s Tactics
Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff will need to adapt quickly to this new reality. The loss of their set-piece advantage could force Arsenal to rely more heavily on open-play goals, where they have also excelled but with less of the tactical control that set pieces offer. This might also prompt a reassessment of the roles of certain players, particularly those who have thrived under Jover’s set-piece routines.
The potential decline in set-piece goals could also have a psychological impact on the team. Knowing that they may not be able to rely on their dead-ball proficiency could lead to increased pressure in open-play situations, which in turn could affect overall performance.
A Call for Creativity
While the situation is concerning, it also presents an opportunity for innovation. Arteta and Jover will need to develop new strategies to maintain Arsenal’s competitive edge. This could involve more intricate set-piece routines that are less reliant on physical holding and more focused on clever movement and deception.
Arsenal’s coaching staff may also look to refine their defensive set-piece strategies to ensure that they remain solid even under increased scrutiny from VAR. This might involve more disciplined marking and a greater emphasis on avoiding unnecessary contact that could lead to penalties or free kicks.
Conclusion
As the new Premier League season looms, Arsenal faces a significant tactical challenge. PGMOL’s focus on clamping down on holding during set pieces threatens to neutralize one of the Gunners’ most potent weapons. However, with a talented coaching team and a squad full of quality, Arsenal has the potential to adapt and overcome this hurdle. The key will be how quickly Arteta and his team can innovate and implement new strategies to ensure that Arsenal remains a force to be reckoned with, both from set pieces and in open play.