Dead Balls: The "Dark Art" Destroying the Beauty of the Premier League

Soccer is increasingly becoming more and more like American football. Games are no longer about fluid, creative play, filled with slick passing combinations and beautiful goals. Now, it's all about physical combat. Players tug at each other's shirts and push each other to win prizes from dead-ball situations.

Goals from open play typically arise from a lengthy process, involving dozens of touches before the ball enters the net. In set pieces, such as corner kick schemes, only two touches are needed to harm the opponent. The time taken to organize and contest positions is even longer than the goal-scoring process itself.

That is the reality currently occurring in the English Premier League, where teams are beginning to rely on set pieces. High-level matches, such as the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea, had to be decided through three goals from corner kicks. In fact, duels involving a plethora of world-class players typically serve as a stage for showcasing technique and creativity.

The three goals from the derby last weekend also provide another fact. According to Sky Sports, the number of goals from corner kicks in the English Premier League this season (138) has officially surpassed last season (135). Moreover, the league still has 99 matches left to be played. This data indicates a significant change in trend.

"You have to accept that fact," said Liverpool Coach Arne Slot. "Set pieces are a major part of the Premier League. If you watch other leagues, I don't think there is much emphasis on set pieces. Do I like it? My heart as a football lover says no," he continued.

A reference for beautiful football is Barcelona from 10-15 years ago. The Spanish giant played an elegant "tiki-taka" style that prioritized short passing combinations from the backline to the penalty area. Even when presented with opportunities from set pieces, they often opted for short passes.

Slot is the most suitable figure to discuss set pieces. He has been both an admirer and a victim of this situation. Since January, no team has been more productive from set pieces than Liverpool (9 goals). However, their margin still remains a deficit of three goals so far due to strategic errors in the first half of the season.

The influence of set pieces can be reflected in the league standings. Currently, the top of the table is occupied by Arsenal. It is not a coincidence that they also hold the status of the most effective team from set pieces, particularly corner kicks. The goal difference of "The Gunners" is the best in the league (+12), resulting from scoring 19 goals and conceding only 7 goals.

A total of 16 goals among them were produced by the team managed by Mikel Arteta from corner kicks. This number has equaled the record for the most corner kick goals in a single season in the league's history. It is only natural that Arsenal is beginning to be dubbed the "king of set pieces."

However, it's not just Arsenal who rely on set pieces, but the entire league. This is evident from BBC Sports data. As of week 28, 215 of the 783 league goals scored have come from set pieces outside of penalty areas. This represents 27.6 percent of all goals, the highest in the last 15 years.

It is not Arsenal, the team that relies most on set pieces, but the promoted team Leeds United. A total of 13 out of 37 goals scored by Leeds, or 35.1 percent, came from set pieces outside of penalties. Arsenal is indeed the most productive and effective, but they only rank sixth in the proportion of goals from set pieces (32.8 percent).

A unique perspective was presented by Chelsea Coach Liam Rosenior. The figure, who is a former English Premier League player, seeks to understand the context from a different angle. For him, set pieces are a legitimate weapon that can be maximized by every team. It is an essential part that cannot be separated from football.

"That is the beauty of football. Every team can do it in different ways. There is no right or wrong. When we scored (from a set piece against Arsenal), the supporters did not care how the goal was achieved. The same goes for Arsenal supporters with their goal. This game is about winning," said Rosenior.

The increasing number of weapons that can be used by each team will make the league more competitive. It is evident that mediocre teams have a greater chance of causing surprises this season. Brentford, for example, managed to hold the "set-piece king" Arsenal to a draw thanks to a unique goal from a throw-in scheme. How could that method be considered lacking in creativity?

Every match in the English Premier League has become more intense thanks to this new factor. Slot, who does not favor dead ball situations, does not deny this. "Most matches are not enjoyable to watch, but they are always interesting because they are highly competitive. That is what makes this league great; all teams can defeat anyone," said Slot.

So, why has there been so much hatred towards set pieces lately, to the point of being referred to as "black art" or dirty tactics? In fact, this scheme has been relied upon for a long time. Even in the 2009-10 season, the proportion of goals from set pieces (28.5 percent) was still the highest in the league's history to date.

The most logical answer is due to ambiguity. There are no clear rules or firmness to regulate the situation. For instance, in a corner kick situation, players pull each other's jerseys and hold onto one another. The goalkeeper, who should be free from significant physical contact, also becomes a target for interference from opposing players.

Referees are increasingly allowing these physical fights typical of American football to occur. As a result, numerous controversial disputes arise every week. Players from Team A are deemed to have fouled players from Team B, even though both sides committed similar acts. "That (rule) needs to be reviewed at the end of the season," explained Rosenior.

Moreover, the process of retrieving the dead ball takes a considerable amount of time, potentially up to one minute. A throw-in that originally takes only a few seconds can take several times longer if the executor intends to make a long throw. This significantly affects the effective time in open play.

Therefore, it is not accurate to condemn set pieces as "black art" that detracts from the beauty of the English League. Set pieces are part of that beauty. The factors that undermine that beauty are actually the referees who create ambiguity; that is what needs to be addressed. (AP/REUTERS)