The Scramble for Scraps: Why Set Pieces Will Define the 2025-26 Premier League

Remember when set pieces felt like an afterthought? Just a chance for a big center-back to nod one in, or a hopeful punt into the box. Those days are gone. In the hyper-analyzed, finely-tuned Premier League of 2025-26, where margins are thinner than ever, set-piece efficiency isn't a luxury – it's a non-negotiable. We’re talking about goals from corners, direct free-kicks, and even those crafty throw-in routines. The teams that master them will gain a vital edge.

Look, in the 2024-25 season, Liverpool led the league with 17 goals from set pieces, according to Opta. That accounted for roughly 20% of their total goal tally. Manchester City, by contrast, only managed 11 set-piece goals. That six-goal difference, spread across a 38-game season, is enormous. It’s the difference between three draws and three wins. This isn't just about throwing bodies into the box anymore; it’s about sophisticated routines, expert delivery, and careful coaching.

Thiago Motta, fresh off his incredible work at Bologna and now at Juventus, is a name I’d watch closely if he ever lands in England. His Bologna side, despite their limited budget, scored 12 goals from set pieces in Serie A during the 2023-24 season, a league high for teams outside the top four. Motta’s system emphasizes quick restarts and intelligent blocking, often using short corners to pull defenders out of position before a whipped cross finds a designated runner. His former defender, Riccardo Calafiori, even bagged two headers from corners that season. That’s detail.

Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have been consistently strong here, too. Nicolas Jover, their set-piece coach, deserves a raise every year. In 2023-24, Arsenal notched 16 set-piece goals, second only to Liverpool. Their success often comes from Gabriel Magalhães, who scored four headers from corners that season, and Kai Havertz, whose late runs into the six-yard box have become a real weapon. They don’t just have one routine; they have a playbook. Their short corner that led to Declan Rice’s goal against Manchester United in September 2024 was a perfect example of their varied approach.

Here's the thing: direct free-kicks are becoming a lost art, but they still pop up. James Ward-Prowse, even after his move to West Ham, was still good for 2-3 a season. He scored two in 2024-25. But who else is consistently clinical? Ruben Neves, if he ever returns to the Premier League, is another. Outside of those two, most teams rely on a hopeful shot rather than a genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Coaches need to scout for this specific skill. Imagine a team with a Ward-Prowse level threat on free-kicks; that's an extra 3-4 goals a season right there.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have been shockingly poor. In 2024-25, they registered a measly 8 goals from set pieces, ranking them 15th in the league. For a team with their aerial presence – Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile – and investment, that’s simply unacceptable. Mauricio Pochettino, and now Enzo Maresca, haven't cracked the code. They often lump the ball in, hoping for the best, with little tactical ingenuity. This is where they’re leaving points on the table.

Real talk: the overlooked gem is the throw-in. Yes, the throw-in. Thomas Frank's Brentford have proven its worth. In 2023-24, they created 15 chances directly from long throw-ins, leading to 3 goals. Ivan Toney’s header against Crystal Palace in February 2024 came directly from a Mathias Jensen long throw. It's not just about Rory Delap anymore; it's about quick, intelligent sequences designed to exploit defensive lapses. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City even experimented with a specialized throw-in coach for a spell, hinting at the direction things are headed.

For the 2025-26 season, I’m putting my money on Aston Villa making a significant jump in this department. Unai Emery is a precise planner, and with the aerial prowess of Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa, coupled with John McGinn’s delivery, they are ripe for improvement. They scored 10 set-piece goals in 2024-25, which was decent, but I expect Emery to push that closer to 15. He’s the kind of manager who sees marginal gains as essential.

My bold prediction for 2025-26: The Premier League champion will score at least 18 goals from set pieces, with Arsenal topping the charts at 20.