Amid a growing trend of teams focusing on scoring from set piece routines and crosses, are we able to officially mark the end of the tiki taka era in the Premier League?
Is The Tiki Taka Era Over In The Premier League?
Are the days of Pep Guardiola’s famed tiki taka football over in the Premier League?
There seems to have been a shift from the pass-and-move style to a more direct approach being employed by many, with a major focus being placed on scoring from set pieces.
Shades of the famous tiki taka approach remain, especially at Barcelona, Manchester City and the Spanish national team, however the style has undoubtedly been forced to evolve.
One of the most notable sides to make use of the more direct approach is Arsenal.
The Gunners appointed Nicolas Jover as their set piece coach in 2021, following Mikel Arteta to north London from City, and the impact he’s had on the side has been clear to see.
They scored 19 goals from set pieces last season, fewer than only Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace (20) and Brighton (22), a large portion of which came from corners.
This term, they have already netted six goals from corners in the Premier League. Gabriel’s last-gasp winner against Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday evening is the latest.
“THE GUNNERS HAVE GONE AND DONE IT!”
Gabriel with a 96th-minute goal to complete the Arsenal comeback ✅ pic.twitter.com/iD7ZQcl1xI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2025
The Brazilian has risen in the latest FPL price changes for Gameweek 7 following his goal.
Brentford Among Top Set Piece Performers
Brentford are another side that are taking advantage when it comes to set pieces.
They appointed Keith Andrews as their set piece coach last term, and they ended the 2024-25 campaign having conceded the fewest goals (two) from set pieces all season.
Offensively, they finished just behind Arsenal with 19 total set piece goals throughout the season.
Now, following the departure of Thomas Frank for Tottenham, Andrews has been handed the reins at the Gtech Community Stadium, having been promoted to first-team manager.
The Irishman has been keen to employ long throws as part of his side’s game, a tactic famously used by Tony Pulis via Rory Delap for Stoke City between 2007 and 2013.
Already having a clear effect in the division, could Andrews and Arteta’s styles, placing a major focus on scoring from set pieces, change the game long term in the Premier League?
West Ham Struggling To Defend Corners
Whether it be from marking the goalkeeper, crowding the six-yard box, overloading the far post, blocking defenders or screening manoeuvres, defending set pieces is as complex as ever.
One of the sides that have particularly struggled to defend set pieces this term, and more specifically corners, is struggling West Ham United, who sit in a lowly 19th place in the table.
The Hammers have conceded eight goals from corners in just six matches this term. This is as many as they let in throughout the whole of the 2024-25 season.
As a consequence of this poor record, along with generally underwhelming since the start of the campaign, the East London club opted to part ways with Graham Potter last week.
Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed in his place, however their issues with set pieces remain, as they conceded a soft header to Everton’s Michael Keane on Monday following a corner.
The ex-Nottingham Forest boss will need to find the root of this problem quickly, as next up, they travel to the Emirates to take on one of the best set piece sides in the league… Arsenal.
