Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
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Arteta Shrugs off Criticism Over Arsenal’s Set-Piece Tactics

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC in London, Britain, 01 March 2026. (EPA)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remained defiant on Tuesday over criticism of his team's set-piece tactics, dismissing accusations of time-wasting while expressing frustration that his side doesn't score even more from corners.

The Premier League leaders have netted 16 goals from corners this season to tie the league record with nine games remaining, but the feat has also sparked debate about the tactical evolution of set-pieces.

It has also drawn criticism from Wednesday's opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, whose ‌coach Fabian Huerzeler ‌took aim at Arsenal's corner routine, claiming ‌the ⁠London side sometimes "spend ⁠over one minute" to take a corner.

But Arteta had little sympathy for such complaints, telling reporters: "I'm upset that we don't score more (from corners) - and we concede as well. We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game."

The Spanish coach shrugged off criticism as "part of the job" given ⁠football's tactical transformation, arguing that teams increasingly neutralize ‌open-play opportunities.

"Before, when you used to ‌do a game plan and you would invert a full back or ‌bring an extra player into midfield or a false nine, ‌four vs three inside, two vs one inside, everyone behind the ball," Arteta said.

"Teams are adapting, teams know after every sequence of play - whether it is a throw-in, a restart of play, an open-pitch situation - 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."

However, Huerzeler called for clearer regulations around time management, arguing supporters deserve value for money.

"Every supporter who pays a lot of money to go to the stadiums and watch our games should see the same net game time because they pay a lot of money," the German coach said.

"We have a net game time of 50 minutes (with the ball in play) instead of sometimes 65 minutes, so the game is changing so much."

Arsenal hold a five-point lead at the Premier League summit, having played a game more than second-placed Manchester City.



Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Tirante Topples Top Seed Shelton to Reach Houston ATP Semi-finals

Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Argentina's Thiago Tirante is through to the semi-finals of the ATP clay court tournament in Houston after an upset win over top-seeded American Ben Shelton. Kenneth Richmond / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Thiago Tirante stunned top-seeded Ben Shelton 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-4 on Friday to book a semi-final showdown with friend and fellow Argentine Roman Burruchaga at the ATP clay court tournament in Houston, Texas.

Tirante, ranked 83rd in the world, notched his second career win over a top-10 player as he sent the ninth-ranked Shelton packing to reach the second ATP semi-final of his career.

"I knew that Ben was a very difficult player, a great player, so I had to take more risks at some times of the match," said Tirante, who fended off a break point early in the third set and broke Shelton for a 5-4 lead before serving it out with a comfortable hold.

"I did sometimes good, I did sometimes bad, but that's the key. (I had to stay) mentally strong all the time and try to break the serve -- he serves amazing."

Burruchaga, ranked 77th, upset third-seeded American Learner Tien, ranked 22nd in the world, 7-5, 6-4 to reach his first career semi-final.

The son of former soccer player Jorge Burruchaga, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, the 24-year-old had already knocked out another member of the world top 40 on Thursday, 33rd-ranked local favorite Brandon Nakashima.

Second-seeded American Frances Tiafoe saved a match point in the third set tiebreaker to reach the semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Australian Alexei Popyrin.

Tiafoe will face fourth-seeded Tommy Paul in an All-American semi after Paul beat Argentina's sixth-seeded Tomas Etcheverry 6-4, 6-2.


Saudi Crown Prince Meets FIFA President

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets FIFA President

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Jeddah on Friday to review areas of mutual sports cooperation and explore promising opportunities for further development, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal attended the meeting.


Gattuso Out as Italy’s Coach After Team Failed to Qualify for World Cup

Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
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Gattuso Out as Italy’s Coach After Team Failed to Qualify for World Cup

Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's head coach Gennaro Gattuso greets supporters after winning the playoff FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification semifinal football match between Italy and North Ireland at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, on March 26, 2026. (AFP)

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

The Italian football federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso "for the dedication and passion" during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

"With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over," Gattuso said.

Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s football federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.

The defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champion Italy after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups.

Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.

Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when titleholder Italy was knocked out in the round of 16 by Switzerland.

"I would like to thank Gattuso once again," Gravina said. "Because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a valuable contribution, managing to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in just a few months.

"He has conveyed great pride in the national team jersey to the players and to the whole country."

Under Gattuso, Italy went on a six-match winning streak before another loss to Norway in November to finish second in their group and end up in the playoffs again.

Gattuso had been given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic renewal until 2028 if Italy returned to football’s biggest stage.

"The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset that exists in soccer, which is why it is right to immediately facilitate future coaching staff decisions," Gattuso said.

"It was an honor to be able to lead the national team and do so also with a group of boys who have shown commitment and attachment to the shirt. The biggest thanks go to the fans, to all the Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team in recent months."

Among those being mentioned to replace Gattuso are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team. He left that role in October 2024 and is currently coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar.

Inzaghi steered Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and now manages Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Conte coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship and is currently at Napoli.

Allegri is coach at AC Milan.

Italy will play two friendly matches in June but is unlikely to have a new coach by then, given that the election for a new FIGC president won't take place until June 22.