Declan Rice Baffled by Arsenal's Double Standards as Critics Target Star Midfielder
Declan Rice has responded to persistent criticism of Arsenal, arguing that the Gunners face unjust scrutiny regarding their set-piece prowess simply because they excel in this area.
Arsenal has netted 19 goals from corners and free kicks this campaign, leading the Premier League by at least five goals and doubling the tally of 10 other clubs in the division.
"Everyone discusses it and then everyone attempts it—so it's puzzling!" Rice reflected to The i Paper.
"However, they're not executing it at the standard we achieve. You can observe this when watching teams take corners. We can continue improving and that's the positive aspect."
Mathys Tel Joins Long List of Critics of Modern Premier League Game
Mathys Tel Joins Long List of Critics of Modern Premier League Game
Though concerns about Arsenal's approach have persisted throughout the season, criticism has intensified recently, partly due to Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Following Arsenal's 2–1 victory over Chelsea this month in a match featuring three set-piece strikes, Slot declared that contemporary football was no longer "enjoyable" to watch as he questioned the failure to penalize excessive physicality in the penalty area.
Slot's remarks were recently presented to Tottenham Hotspur winger Mathys Tel during a ZACK appearance, and the French player readily concurred, describing the penalty box during corners as a "zoo."
"We're all clustered together, everyone's shoving, knocking each other down, grabbing onto one another," Tel complained. "Forget it. The goalkeeper can no longer emerge, he can no longer see clearly."
Regarding the Premier League overall, Tel continued: "I'll speak honestly, yes [it's less thrilling]. In that it's no longer entertainment, it's genuinely frustrating to watch.
"There are fewer spectacular moments. There isn't a Vinicius [Junior] executing a sombrero, dribbling past opponents, or a Kylian [Mbappé] racing past defenders. Here, I'd say it's more organized, perhaps excessively so, with defined strategies, all the set pieces, minor details that can occasionally make the difference. But sometimes you wonder if it might be excessive."
Wayne Rooney: 'Brilliant' Arsenal Right to Play This Way
Wayne Rooney: 'Brilliant' Arsenal Right to Play This Way
While Tel advocates for a return to traditional playing styles, one of the Premier League's former stars has stepped forward to support Arsenal's methodology.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United's record goalscorer, expressed his admiration for Arsenal's playing style on his personal podcast, even suggesting that Mikel Arteta's team doesn't utilize set pieces sufficiently.
"I've listened to many people discussing Arsenal and their playing method, but I believe they've been outstanding," Rooney stated. "Set pieces are integral to football—why wouldn't you utilize them? They position players in the box, and if opposing teams lack the intelligence or personnel to handle it, why shouldn't Arsenal persist with this approach?
"I would employ it even more frequently if I were Mikel Arteta. It's part of the sport and I appreciate it. They don't need to modify anything. They perhaps haven't scored as many goals from open play as desired, but they've compensated through alternative methods.
"The final league championship [Man Utd] secured, we weren't exceptional as a squad, but nobody discusses that now. I don't believe Arsenal has been as poor as people suggest, I genuinely don't.
"I'm not stating this because I favor Arsenal, I'm saying this because I believe the criticism they've received is extremely unjust."