Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's set-piece prowess amid criticism of Premier League leaders' tactics - 'Upset we haven't scored more'

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Premier League leaders Arsenal have earned a reputation as set-piece masters under Mikel Arteta but the head coach said that he is "upset" that his side have not scored more goals - and conceded fewer - from dead-ball situations this season. The Gunners face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Wednesday night - with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Watch: Why have Arsenal been so good in the Champions League this season?

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Mikel Arteta said he is "upset" that Arsenal have not scored more goals from set-pieces this season.

The Gunners remain remarkably effective from dead-ball situations, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber heading home from corners in Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea.

They were Arsenal's 15th and 16th goals from corners this season and there has been criticism of a perceived lack of entertainment in open play.

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While set-piece coach Nicolas Jover takes the plaudits, Arteta has called on his team to get even better in that area of the game.

"I am upset we haven't scored more and that we have conceded [from set-pieces] as well," he said in his pre-match press conference before Wednesday night's trip to Brighton & Hove Albion - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"We want to be the best and most dominant team in every aspect of the game. That is the trajectory and the aim of this team. As a club we want to be the same, so we will try to do that."

Slot says Premier League is 'not a joy to watch' due to rise of set-piece goals

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Asked about criticism of his side's approach, Arteta added: "It's part of the job."

Arne Slot claimed the Premier League is "no longer a joy to watch" and "my football heart doesn't like it" when the Liverpool head coach was asked on Monday about the increase in set-piece goals.

Arteta, though, has suggested it is simply an evolution of the sport at the highest level.

"As an opponent you get upset when you concede a goal," he said. "I was really upset by the way we conceded the goal against Chelsea and Chelsea looked really good with the quality they have, look at the amount of set-pieces they score. Manchester United, the same.

"When I was at Manchester City we used to work a lot on them, so it's something.

"There are phases when one team has an opportunity to do certain things. The game is evolving and becoming more and more difficult.

"Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play, whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation, after that they know exactly what they have to do and everything is almost man to man.

"So it is not going to be a different game, unless we change the rules, because the evolution of the game is that."

How to watch Brighton v Arsenal

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal will be live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ with coverage starting at 19:00 UK time on Wednesday, March 4.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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For the latest information on which football matches are on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide. And for the full Premier League schedule, click here.

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