Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal’s set-piece approach ahead of Brighton away, insisting dead-ball detail is part of modern football, while also providing fitness updates on Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
Arsenal head to Brighton on Wednesday night for a fixture that rarely feels straightforward, and this one comes with an added subplot. Arteta faced questions in his pre-match press conference about Arsenal’s growing reliance on set pieces and the time taken over corner routines, after Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler called for tighter regulation. Arteta’s response was to reject the premise and argue that the game itself has changed.
Arsenal have scored 16 Premier League goals from corners this season, a tally that ties a league record, and Arteta suggested the focus on set pieces is a natural result of how difficult it is to create clean openings in open play.
Arteta’s set-piece message
Arteta did not present Arsenal’s work at corners as gamesmanship. He framed it as part of winning the “details” in a league where teams are increasingly organised and space is harder to find. He also made a pointed counterargument, saying he was disappointed Arsenal have not scored even more from their corner situations.
There is a practical reason this matters at Brighton. The Amex can turn games into sequences of momentum swings, and set pieces often become the moments that settle them. Arsenal’s ability to keep generating repeatable threat from dead balls has been a significant part of their points return this season, and it is now attracting attention from opponents and managers alike.
The Brighton challenge
Brighton’s main strength at home is their willingness to press and disrupt rhythm. Arsenal’s job is to keep the game played in the right areas, avoid loose central turnovers, and maintain enough control that the match does not become a series of transitions. Arteta described Brighton as a “very good side” and pointed to the way they are coached and the problems they can pose, particularly when they can force mistakes and attack quickly.
Team news and late calls
Arsenal’s selection is shaped by fitness checks rather than rotation choices. Arteta confirmed Ben White will not be available. Kai Havertz remains a day-by-day decision after only completing part of training, with Arteta saying Arsenal will need to assess whether he is available and in what condition. Martin Odegaard is also being monitored, with Arteta stressing the need to see how comfortable he is carrying out certain movements in training.
Declan Rice is not the lead story this time, but he remains an important one. After Rice asked to be substituted against Chelsea, Arteta said he was “much better” in the latest check and expressed hope he will be ready for the trip.