General Premier League Thread 2025/2026

Thats why I imagine it'll have to change. Sure Rices carry on in the background of the "punch" incident wouldn't even be allowed in American Football or Rugby.

Too late to change this year but no way can it be allowed again next year. Its just a mess. Thats why Arsenal might aswell keep tripling down while they can get away with anything.

I think IFAB have concluded their yearly meeting, so don't know if there can be any more official rule changes.

So it will come down to PGMOL instructions.

How have these 'melee corner-kicks' been policed in Europe? I have the vague idea that referees from the continent are more likely to just blow the whistle for a free out as the corner is delivered, even if it's wrestling/blocking by both sides.
Unsatisfactory, but perhaps this is the way to go as it puts the onus on one side (the attack) to be clean.

No No, Everything is Arsenals fault

It's not Arsenal's fault. They're just the best at it.

It's also just pure analytics and probability. If you can make set pieces exceedingly dangerous, while sucking all the opposition defenders in (thus negating the threat of a counter), then you're giving yourself an ok opportunity to score with almost zero risk - a manager's dream!

Until teams figure out a way to stop it, or figure out a system while defending set pieces (including teams who utilise the long throw) that provides a threat the other way, then of course teams will persist with it.

Look at Brentford.

It's up to the rest to figure it out.

The best way to defend it would be allow physicality to rule. But then why was Cunha given a penalty for being dragged back, Kolo Muani's goal ruled out for Gabriels swan dive and Cherki's goal ruled out when Haaland/Szoboszlai were having their wrestling match? And if instead you think those incidents were ok how can you not give multiple penalties for Arsenals carry on in the above video?

Either allow Aussie Rules wrestling into the game or dont allow it at all. The randomness is the biggest problem if it was clear for all teams it'd be fair. But sometimes being a foul is ridiculous.

Hierro on Niall Quinn vibes

IMO the PL simply don't want to be giving 5 penalties a game. Which is what will happen if you police corners and long throws 'properly'. Which enables this style of defending. But if you decide to start giving penalties you just massively incentivise these corner and long throw routines. The attacking team will get a decent chance at a goal or a decent chance at a penalty, the defending team are put under huge pressure.

The PL style would need to change to a scenario where tricky, agile, highly technical players thrive - which then puts an open play limit on the big strong physical players, which then impacts the players you can put up on a corner and how you can attack them.

Don't know how you get back to that though, as Arsenal/City evolved past that point to this 4CB marginal gains ethos.

It's been known for a while that the current iteration of the Premier League is basically just a big set piece league. It's not about the best football team, it's about who is the best at skirting the line with pushing and blocking people at corners, long throws and free kicks in order to score.

Keith Andrews was a set piece coach at Brentford and many thought he would be terrible. Instead he is thriving in his first managerial job, because he has that experience.

I wouldn't be surprised to see that Arsenal coach Jover, who is paid a bonus every time Arsenal score a set piece, land a sole managerial role soon.

Liverpool have been crap this season and they have turned their form around purely because they have changed their ability to score from set pieces.

Ah thats grand so.

Back to corners then 👍️

Only allowing 1-2 attackers into the 6 yard box before a corner is struck surely has to be a sensible solution to solving what has become an absolute mess.

People have said that it might take too much to police but if there's an automatic free out, it shouldn't take too much policing. And if VAR is needed, it shouldn't take too much time as the lines are there.

Maybe it just moves the problem to outside the 6 yard box, but the main factor is teams trying to box in a keeper imo.