Pep Guardiola has agreed with Arne Slot over Mikel Arteta\u2019s reliance on set-pieces as his Manchester City side hunt Arsenal in the Premier League title race, adding that he will \u2018be in trouble tomorrow\u2019 if he advises referees over officiating corners.<\/p>\n
Arsenal<\/a> have transformed the way set-pieces are used over the past two seasons, with first-team coach Nicolas Jover crucial to their success. It emerged on Monday that Jover receives a bonus every time Arsenal score from a set-piece, such is his influence on their success.<\/p>\n Remarkably, 22 of Arsenal\u2019s 58 Premier League goals this season have come from dead-ball situations, three ahead of Newcastle United.<\/p>\n According to Opta, the Gunners have the longest restart time from set-pieces of any top-flight side, with an average of 44.4 seconds. That is three seconds higher than Sunderland, who are second in such statistics.<\/p>\n All three goals during Arsenal\u2019s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday came from corners, demonstrating just how important they have become to games this season. Arsenal are looking to get the edge on an innovative new City team<\/a>, and they have opted to focus largely on set-pieces.<\/p>\n Liverpool boss Slot caused a stir on Monday<\/a> when he said \u2018my football heart doesn\u2019t like\u2019 set-pieces, adding that \u2018most games in the Premier League are not a joy to watch.\u2019<\/p>\n READ: Why are Arsenal getting \u2018all the hate\u2019 over set-piece nonsense?<\/a><\/p>\n Ahead of Man City\u2019s home clash against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, Guardiola<\/a> was asked about the set-piece debate. He said (via BBC Sport<\/a>): \u201cSet-pieces have started to be important. It was different when I started as a manager.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was a young boy, we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. I remember perfectly, so nothing has changed in that way.<\/p>\n \u201cArsenal dictate how they do it, and it is an important aspect. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much, but now so many teams do it. It is part of the dynamics.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can sit and complain, but you have to adapt. It\u2019s part of the game. You have to adapt, and especially adapt in the way it is conducted in the Premier League.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery country has a specific way to do it, and every club have specific ways they play. I understand completely why [Slot\u2019s comments] and in some ways I agree.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Ten Premier League stars to rival David Raya as \u2018most improved player\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n When asked if he actually enjoys set-pieces, Guardiola added: \u201cYeah. It is what it is. It is the business I am in. I am a manager. I can\u2019t say, \u2018I don\u2019t like set-pieces\u2019. I adapt and do it.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball has been played in so many ways since it was created. How it is played in England is different in the way it is played in Spain or Italy.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery manager plays in different ways. How boring would it be if all the managers played in the same way. I have to adapt.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I don\u2019t like, I don\u2019t watch, but I have to adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n On whether referees should officiate set-pieces differently, the Man City<\/a> boss continued: \u201cYou create a different press conference. I have a specific opinion about that and it remains to me. It is up to the referees. I cannot answer that question. I know my opinion perfectly about that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you are on that subject normally, you lose your focus. The focus is Nottingham Forest and Vitor Pereira. If I start to talk about that, I will be in trouble tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a completely detailed and precise opinion about that, but you\u2019ll have to ask the referees. Not to me.\u201d<\/p>\n