Official: Arsenal are the best set-piece team in Europe

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 2 Oct 2024 18:12 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal are officially the best set-piece team in Europe - and the stats prove it.

The Gunners scored yet another goal from a set-piece on Tuesday in the 2-0 Champions League win over PSG at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka curled in a free kick from the right that evaded everyone - including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - on its way into the net.

READ MORE: Premier League top scorers 2024/25

That goal was Arsenal’s 27th set -piece goal in the last two seasons in the Premier League and Champions League combined, as cited by ESPN.

No team in Europe’s top five leagues as scored more set-piece goals in this time period in league and European play combined.

The second best set-piece team in Europe is Bayer Leverkusen, who have scored 25 goals in this way. This clearly played a big part in Leverkusen winning the league and cup double unbeaten last season in Germany - and going close to a treble as they lost the Europa League final to Atalanta.

READ MORE: Champions League top scorers 2024/25

The third best set-piece team is, somewhat surprisingly, Manchester City with 23 goals. Better known for their passing football under Pep Guardiola, City are also outstanding at setpieces.

Premier League strugglers Everton are fourth with 22 goals as manager Sean Dyche lives up to his reputation as an agricultural manager who relies on deadballs and crosses.

Also with 22 goals from setpieces are Barcelona, another team who traditionally are better known for their free-flowing total football than their corners and dead-balls.

And in sixth place on the list is German giants Bayern Munich, who have scored 21 goals from set-pieces in the last two seasons.

Most set piece goals: Top five leagues + Champions League

*last two years

Much has been said over the last year or so about Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, who is widely regarded as the best in the world in his role.

“In his field [he is the best in the world], in other fields and as a person,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said recently about Jover.

“And the relationship that we have – that’s why I made the decision to bring him to Man City when I was there and then to Arsenal.

“Him and the rest of the staff have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches. This is a really powerful one and he has given us a lot. So a big ­compliment to all of them.”

Arsenal have also scored key set-piece goals this season in the wins over Tottenham and Leicester, as well as in the draw with Man City.

But now it is official - Arsenal are statistically the best set-piece team in Europe.