Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side may need to rethink their set-piece strategies ahead of the upcoming season.
These adjustments are a response to the new rules set to be implemented for the 2026/27 season.
The changes in English football will include countdowns for goal kicks and throw-ins, time limits on substitutions, and stricter control over delays during set-piece situations.
The new regulations will be in effect starting with the FA Super Cup clash against Manchester City.
Arsenal are well known for their physical approach to set plays, and Arteta has confirmed that coaches will need to assess the impact of these innovations.
“In the pre-season, we had the chance to see and test some of them,” Arteta said.
“We need to see when the season starts how it unfolds, what is more feasible and what is less feasible, and what we need to adapt,” he added.
The manager also humorously commented on the ban on using towels to dry the ball.
“Not being able to use towels is already a big thing in the Premier League. Let’s see what we do. Maybe we’ll play in hats!” the Spaniard joked.
Arteta believes that these rule changes will create a different dynamic in matches.
“Everyone is paying so much attention to the details, to all the restarts and countdowns, that it will bring someone else, a different dynamic, a different momentum,” the coach noted.
“These are actually good rules because what we are trying to do is promote more playing time and fluidity in games, which is better, and hopefully it will work,” Arteta concluded.
This season, Arteta will be faced with an overhauled coaching landscape among rivals. Enzo Maresca now leads Manchester City, Andoni Iraola is at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso has taken over at Chelsea, Michael Carrick manages Manchester United, while Roberto De Zerbi is at the helm of Tottenham.
