Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis says Mikel Arteta will see it as a “compliment” for his Arsenal side to be compared to Stoke.
Arsenal have drawn comparisons to Pulis’ Stoke team, who he was in charge of from 2006 to 2013, because of how dangerous they are from set-pieces.
Arsenal have scored 37 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season, which is 11 more than any other side from Europe’s top five leagues.
Pulis believes Arteta is right to maximise dead-ball situations and he will be happy being compared to his Stoke side.
Gabriel organises Arsenal players for an attacking corner kick during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
“I think it’s brilliant that Arteta has embraced set-pieces and, like me, I don’t think he will give a damn about the people who want to knock him for doing it,” Pulis wrote in a column for the BBC.
“Whichever club you are at, and whatever your approach, you are always going to be in a situation where there is going to be noise and criticism from outside but if you are winning games then your supporters will be absolutely delighted about it.
“We saw that from the Arsenal fans, who were singing ‘set-piece again, ole ole ole’ when Eberechi Eze got on the end of Declan Rice’s free-kick for their winner against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“I do find it funny that 10 or 12 years ago, I was taking a lot of flak from Gunners supporters and Arsene Wenger was saying that Stoke were a rugby team because of our corner routines and long throws.
A general view as players of Crystal Palace and Arsenal take their positions for a corner kick. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“That’s another reason why I have got nothing but respect for Arteta, because he has seen all of that at the time and just thought, ‘You know what, doing that could help us’.
“I’ve seen the mocked-up picture of him dressed as me, including my baseball cap, and I love it – he makes me look good-looking!
“Wenger is probably shaking his head about what Arsenal are doing but I know Arteta sees the Stoke comparisons as a compliment and so do the other Premier League managers who are doing the same.
“I was seen as a dinosaur for my focus on dead-ball situations and long throws with Stoke City when we were promoted to the Premier League in 2008, but I wouldn’t say I feel vindicated by the way they are now in fashion – because I knew back then how important they were.
“Of course, the fact that it’s Arsenal who are doing it now, not Stoke, makes a difference. When you have got Arteta doing it at one of the biggest and most famous clubs in the world then everyone takes notice.”
