By Sachit Subba • Football • May 20, 2026 01:21 AM • 30 views
After 22 years, Arsenal are champions of England again. Arsène Wenger’s shadow over North London is gone.
It’s ironic how Mikel Arteta achieved this. For years, Arsenal played beautiful passing football, aiming for perfection but often falling short when it mattered.
Arteta rebuilt the team, shifting focus from style to a practical, determined approach.
And it worked.
The Death of Romance
For three straight years, Arsenal finished second. They played attractive football, but struggled when tough teams defended deep, especially in winter. Arteta knew they needed to change to break the cycle.
When opponents blocked their style in the box, Arsenal found new ways to score.
The key turning point was not a clever open-play move. It was when set-piece coach Nicolas Jover took a bigger role, and Arteta focused on making set-pieces a strength.
The numbers impress. Arsenal didn’t just use set-pieces—they set records.
24 set-piece goals broke the record for Premier League champions.
18 goals from corners, an all-time league record.
36% of total goals came from dead-ball situations.
As a result, some traditional fans are now debating whether Arsenal’s style is too focused on results rather than beauty.
Arteta isn’t concerned. When asked about set-pieces, he said, “I’m upset that we don’t score more.” That’s the mindset of a winner.
Chaos, Fear, and the Dark Arts
At any English stadium, tension builds when Arsenal wins a corner.
It starts when Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka signals. Then, chaos unfolds in the six-yard box.
This isn’t luck. Arsenal’s decoys, blockers, and clever moves confuse goalkeepers. They push limits, but stay within the rules.
But the main story is this team’s physical strength.
Before kickoff, Arsenal’s players loom large in the tunnel. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber command with their presence, while Gabriel Magalhães attacks the ball fearlessly. They no longer just play—they unsettle their opponents. By March, Arsenal had already set a new record for match-winning goals from corners in a single season. They transformed routine moments into opportunities to win. Now, after their Premier League triumph, the biggest test awaits: facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
Against this backdrop, European football is usually dominated by teams with style and flair. But PSG now faces a different Arsenal—one that is strong and efficient.
Arteta has made it clear that Arsenal are the top team in England. Now, the target is Budapest against PSG, the defending champions of the UEFA Champions League.
