AliousThe style of football currently seen in the Premier League has become a major talking point this season, with Arsenal FC often at the centre of the debate.
With eight matches remaining, the Gunners sit at the top of the table, holding a seven-point advantage over Manchester City, who still have a game in hand. Despite being on the verge of a potentially historic title win, their approach to the game has still drawn criticism from some observers.
Certain critics argue that Mikel Arteta’s side rely heavily on set-pieces and tactical fouls rather than the free-flowing, attacking football once associated with the club under Arsène Wenger. After his team’s defeat to Arsenal, Fabian Hurzeler—manager of Brighton & Hove Albion—even remarked that he would never adopt that style of play.
However, not everyone agrees with the criticism. Former striker Michael Owen defended Arsenal, pointing out that the team has performed strongly for most of the season and that winning ugly is sometimes necessary. In his view, the Gunners deserve credit for consistently finding ways to secure results.
Tel Criticises Modern Premier League Style
The debate extends beyond Arsenal alone, as some believe modern football has become less entertaining overall. One player currently competing in the league has also voiced his concerns.
Mathys Tel, a winger for Tottenham Hotspur, recently described Premier League football as “boring to watch,” largely due to the increasing emphasis on set-pieces. Speaking in an interview with streamer Zack Nani, as reported by Maxifoot, the Frenchman suggested that the league’s tactical focus has reduced the level of individual flair on display.
Tel explained that matches often feel like structured battles between two tactical systems rather than open contests filled with skill and creativity. He compared it to the kind of moments fans might see from players such as Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé—moments of improvisation, dribbling and explosive pace that create excitement.
According to Tel, the heavy reliance on set-pieces and small tactical details can sometimes feel excessive. He even joked that the situations during set-plays resemble a “zoo,” revealing that he once asked a member of the coaching staff not to include him in certain routines.
Mixed Perspectives on Arsenal’s Success
Tel’s comments may be interpreted by some as a subtle criticism of Arsenal, who have scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team in the Premier League this season, with 22.
However, critics of Tottenham might argue that the squad’s attitude toward aspects like set-piece work could partly explain why Spurs currently sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to demonstrate their effectiveness across multiple areas of the game under Arteta. In addition to leading the league in set-piece goals, they have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League so far, with only 22.
Their attacking output has also been remarkable. Across all competitions, Arsenal have surpassed the 100-goal mark this season, becoming only the third club in Europe’s top five leagues to reach that milestone—alongside FC Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.
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