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Written by Adwaidh Rajan, Millie Sian, Ailsa Cowen & Grace Wheeler.

  1. Get Involved - 'Football is an evolutionary sport'

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    Important to remember football is an evolutionary sport. We saw tika-taka become the gold standard 15 years ago. Recently it was all about inverted full-backs. Now set-pieces rule. It'll last a year or two, and then teams will find a new way of edging ahead of the rest.

    Ollie, London

    Football is cyclical. Right now, there’s an emphasis on athleticism and set-pieces, much like in the 2000s. But in-between, we had an era of more “beautiful” football, with fluid systems, false 9s and hardly any goals from corners. If you don’t like it, don’t worry- it’ll soon change again.

    Joe, London

  2. Raya helps Arsenal survive late scare

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    What are the makings of a title winning keeper?

    Arsenal had to survive some late scares to secure the victory against 10-man Chelsea, and they will be indebted to David Raya for seeing them past the finish line.

    The goalkeeper had to produce a huge save by stretching himself to deal with a dangerous ball into the box by Alejandro Garnacho that almost creeped in at the back post.

    Chelsea striker Liam Delap then thought he had snatched a point late on for the away side when he bundled the ball in but Joao Pedro was well offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out - much to the relief of the Arsenal supporters at the Emirates.

  3. Get Involved - 'Football could go the F1 way'

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    Money is dictating the 'win at all costs' style of football. The freedom to play in an expansive style has been lost . Arsenal have the quality to play this game , but pressure is destroying it .

    Adrian, Norfolk

    Formula One became uninteresting when it all became about the start and pitstops. Football can go the same way with set pieces.

    Roger, London

  4. 'My football heart doesn't like it'

    Wolves v Liverpool (Tue, 20:15 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Arne SlotGetty Images

    Arne Slot has just weighed in on the set-pieces debate and admitted reliance on dead-ball situations have made Premier League games "no longer a joy to watch."

    Here's the Liverpool manager's quotes on the topic in full:

    "First of all, we just have to accept it. I think it's mainly here in the Premier League, because if I watch other leagues there isn't so much emphasis on set-pieces.

    "Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it. For me, 10 or 15 years ago, I was always looking forward to watching Barcelona play every Sunday evening - but for me most of the games in the Premier League are now not a joy to watch.

    "However the games are always interesting because they are so competitive. That's what makes this league great - anyone can win against anyone - but, as someone who loves to watch football, there's a big difference in the Premier League compared to three or four years ago.

    "We aren't going to change it though. I just wouldn't be surprised if you went to watch a Sunday League match now and the 16-year-olds were completely focused on set-pieces."

  5. 'Beautiful football is not how it's always played'

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton midfielder on BBC Sport

    Many people watching want to see beautiful football or purists want to see open play great goals back to front.

    That's not how football's always played. Football is about being effective in both penalty areas, finding a way.

    Whatever happens in between can be pleasing, can be enjoyable, can be exciting.

    But, ultimately, it's less important than what happens in both penalty areas because that's where games are won and lost.

  6. 'Arsenal very good at set-pieces, very effective'

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Leon Osman
    Former Everton midfielder on BBC Sport

    Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's second goal past Robert Sanchez of ChelseaGetty Images

    I didn't think there was an awful lot between the two teams, but Arsenal came out on top and at this stage of the season that's vital, isn't it?

    If your strengths are pacy wide men that create things all the time, you give them the ball all the time.

    If your strength is set-pieces, you try to win set-pieces and score from them and they're very good at it, very effective.

    And ultimately that was that was the difference between the teams, but Arsenal won't care because it's another three points.

  7. Get Involved - 'Why's it ugly to score from a set-piece?'

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    I don't get the narrative around them being "ugly", I think they just cheat and that's where the discussion should be. The constant diving, the rugby tackles when defending corners, the consistent time wasting, the "dark arts", a fancy word for cheating. It all detracts from a very good side.

    Lewis, London

    It's hard to accept the 'ugly' + 'set-piece' narratives coming off the back of 4 open play goals away at Spurs. Arsenal are top of the league because they can win in various ways rather than no playing without a Plan B.

    VCC, Sussex

    Why is it ugly to score goals from a set-piece? We're 3 ahead, which means before yesterday it was 1. Why is it a problem because its The Arsenal? It's not a problem for anyone else.

    Alun, London

  8. 'Most PL games no longer a joy to watch' - Slot

    Wolves v Liverpool (Tue, 20:15 GMT)

    Aadam Patel
    Football Reporter

    : Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool portraitGetty Images

    During his news conference, Arne Slot admitted that set-pieces are the “new reality of the Premier League” and that he believes most Premier League games are no longer a joy to watch because of the reliance on them.

    His side were joint-bottom when it came to scoring from set-pieces (excluding penalties) from the start of the season until 31 December but since the turn of the year, no team has scored more from set-pieces than Liverpool.

    "Do I like it? My football heart doesn't like it," Slot said.

    "When I think about football, I think about the Barcelona team 10-15 years ago. Now it is not as much a joy to watch but it is always competitive.

    The Dutchman may not like it but it’s clear enough that his side have no choice but to embrace it. And embrace it, they have.

    The fact that Slot hopes Florian Wirtz will be back next week is also encouraging for Liverpool. Given the uncertainty over the last week, there were some doubts that his absence could be longer but Wirtz will most likely return at some point next week, against either Galatasaray or Tottenham.

    A reminder that we will be bringing you all the quotes from the Liverpool boss later.

  9. Arsenal can 'win with set-pieces'

    Arsenal 2-1 Cheslea

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Head Coach with his Assistant Steve RoundGetty Images

    Mikel Arteta's former assistant coach at Arsenal, Steve Round, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, after Arsenal's win against Chelsea last: "It is a massive win for Arsenal. Off the back of a run of poor results and to bounce back with two wins like that, it has out. them back in poll position.

    "They have to find a way to win and they can do that with set-pieces."

  10. Get Involved

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    Maybe they will be the ugliest winners but honestly who cares?! Most supporters myself included would much rather be where Arsenal are. Does anyone remember the late Wenger years where Arsenal would look to score the perfect goal every time and finish 4th every season?

    Tom, Worthing

    I enjoy how when other teams win ugly, it's 'the sign of a great team' but when Arsenal do it they are the ugliest team ever. Make it make sense.

    Leroy, Corralejo

    Ask any supporter if they would accept being ugly to win the title and everyone would accept. It is a surprise with all these ‘world-class’ forwards that Arsenal have that they can’t hit a cows backside with a banjo (that’s the bigger question that needs asking!)

    Graham, Essex

  11. 'It's not ugly... It's a beautiful game'

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    Arteta delighted with win over 'top side' Chelsea

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the 2-1 win against Chelsea: "It's not ugly, you have to play the game that is there for you to play, and against Chelsea, you know exactly the game you're going to play.

    "For me, it's a beautiful game to play because there is so much quality and you have to adapt so much to what they do, and they have to do the same against us, so the margins are very, very small, and the duels at the end decide these kind of games."

  12. Get Involved

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    Lots of chatter about Arsenal winning ugly. I really don’t care, so long as we’re winning! I just hope the team can block out all the negativity and keep going….

    Mary, Lancaster

  13. 'You expect more from Arsenal'

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Patrick Vieira
    Former Arsenal captain on Sky Sports

    From an Arsenal point of view, what really matters is the three points. When you look at the game deeper, scoring two goals from set-pieces, it wasn't open.

    When you are top of the Champions League and Premier League table, you expect Arsenal to go forward. It was difficult for Arsenal to take chances. The expectation is higher, you expect more from Arsenal.

  14. Ugliest Premier League winners in history?

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reactsGetty Images

    So going back to Premier League frontrunners Arsenal...

    Questions remain about the manner in which the Gunners are winning games as they look to secure the Premier League title for the first time since 2003-04.

    Chris Sutton, a former title winner with Blackburn Rovers, told BBC Radio 5 Live after the Gunners' win against Chelsea: "Set-piece Arsenal, again. I think they are going to win it.

    "If they get over the line – will they be the ugliest Premier League-winning team in history? The performance wasn't there."

    Mikel Arteta was asked his side's 'ugly' win in his post-match news conference. Arteta said "it's not ugly...for me it's a beautiful game to play because there is so much quality and you have to adapt so much to what they do."

    So, do you think Mikel Arteta's side are set to become the ugliest Premier League winners in history?

    Hit thumbs up or thumbs down to let us know.

  15. Liverpool's Wirtz likely to be out for next two games
    Breaking

    Wolves v Liverpool (Tues, 20:15 GMT)

    Liverpool

    Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the warm upGetty Images

    And here is Arne Slot's reply to the Florian Wirtz question.

    "I don't have anything different to say to what I said after the game [against West Ham]," Slot said.

    "The game tomorrow will probably come too soon, and maybe the game at the weekend as well.

    "But let's see how it all ends up. We hope to have him back sometime next week, maybe a bit earlier or a bit later, but that is the timescale."

    We will be bringing you all the quotes from the Liverpool boss later, so stay with us.

  16. The Wirtz question

    Wolves v Liverpool (Tue, 20:15 GMT)

    Aadam Patel
    Football Reporter

    Florian WirtzGetty Images

    Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot is currently speaking at his news conference before the Reds face bottom side Wolves on Tuesday.

    On Saturday, Slot admitted that he thinks tomorrow’s game against Wolves would be “too early” for Florian Wirtz to return to the Liverpool side.

    The German pulled up with a back injury during the warm up when Liverpool took on Nottingham Forest last weekend and has been out since.

    Given his recent form, Wirtz is a big miss for Liverpool but they have won both games in his absence but an exact timescale on his return is still uncertain.

    Aside from that, Liverpool are going through a relatively decent run of form and with Aston Villa and Manchester United not in action till Wednesday. Slot’s side could potentially go third if they win by three goals at Molineux tomorrow.

  17. Get Involved - 'Doesn’t matter how you win as long as we win'

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    The latest round of ‘will they, won’t they?’ It has been going on since before Christmas. Arsenal have scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in the Premier League. I just hope the players and coaches can block out the noise for another couple of months.

    Floyd, Luton

    Great win for Arsenal, it doesn’t matter how you win? As long as we win at this stage of the season! Scrappy well earned points! Still not 100% convinced by Gyokeres yet, very hardworking but his first touch and passing were poor! He needs to raise his game quickly

    Rob, Sutton

  18. More numbers underlining Arsenal's set-piece mastery

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    • Sunday's 2-1 win against Chelsea was the ninth time in the Premier League this season that Arsenal have scored a match-winning goal from a corner, now the outright most by a team in a single campaign (overtaking Manchester United's eight in 2012-13).
    • They have gone 1-0 up from a corner on nine occasions in the Premier League this season, the joint-most by a team in a single campaign, along with Southampton in 1994-95 (9).
    • Only two other teams have even reached double figures in terms of scoring goals from corners, while 13 have scored less than half of Arsenal's tally.
    • Brazilian defender Gabriel has been directly involved in 25 goals in the Premier League (20 goals, five assists), which is now the outright most by an Arsenal centre-back in the competition, reaching that total in six seasons.
    • There have now been more goals scored from corners in the Premier League this season (138 in 281 games) than in the whole of the previous campaign (135 in 380 games).

  19. Set-piece kings Arsenal equal Premier League record

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Gabriel and Martin ZubimendiGetty Images

    Jurrien Timber's winner against Chelsea last night was Arsenal's 16th goal from a corner this season - that is three more than any other side in the Premier League this season.

    The Gunners' prowess from set-pieces has been a huge part of their title challenge this season.

    They have now equalled the record for the most goals scored from corners in a single Premier League season, alongside Oldham in 1992-93, West Brom in 2016-17, and the Gunners themselves in 2023-24.

  20. 'I will try and stay calm' - Arteta

    Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

    Arsenal

    Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) celebrates with Arsenal's Brazilian defender #06 Gabriel Magalhaes (L) and Arsenal's English midfielder #10 Eberechi Eze (R) after their victoryGetty Images

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the 2-1 win against Chelsea: "I will try and stay calm, but obviously we weren't getting the dominance and the sequences of play that we wanted and expected against the 10 men.

    "So you have to navigate through that, and it's a big part of the game. When you see the manner in which other teams are winning games, everybody's suffering. The manner and the margins are so small, so it's good.

    "Very, very happy. The players made an incredible performance as well and put so much into the game. After the great victory against Spurs, this would be even another level of difficulty.

    "Against 10 men, I expected a different game."