Tony Pulis column: 'I was seen as a dinosaur but I don't see many managers moaning about set-pieces now'

Set pieces are having a moment of resurgence in the Premier League, with teams like Mikel Arteta's Arsenal using them to great effect. The Spaniard has brought in specialist set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and is reaping the rewards from his team's newfound ability to score goals from corners and free kicks.

When I was managing at Stoke City, we were seen as old-fashioned for our emphasis on dead-ball situations and long throws. But I always knew that they were an important part of the game, particularly in tight matches where every point counted. We worked tirelessly to perfect our set-plays, and it paid off when we got promoted to the Premier League.

Arteta has taken a similar approach at Arsenal, and his team is now benefiting from their ability to score goals from set-pieces. The Spanish manager's commitment to winning is evident in his team's tactics, and he has brought in Jover to help him implement his strategy.

Fashions change quickly in football, but what matters most is the result on the pitch. Arteta knows that if his team can get results, then they will be celebrated by their fans, regardless of how they achieve them. The fact that Arsenal are using set-plays and long throws is not something to be mocked or ridiculed.

In fact, many managers are now embracing the same tactics that were once seen as old-fashioned. Pep Guardiola, for example, has expressed admiration for teams like Stoke City, who were willing to use set-plays to great effect. Thomas Frank at Brentford and Tottenham have also adopted similar tactics, with great success.

The key difference between then and now is that Arsenal are doing it in the Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The expectation and pressure on Arteta's team are immense, but they are rising to the challenge by using set-plays and long throws to devastating effect.

For managers like Sean Dyche and myself, winning is what matters most. We may have started out as trend-setters, but we didn't do it for the sake of being different - we did it because it worked. And now, it seems that many other managers are following in our footsteps.
 
🤩 I'm loving this resurgence of set pieces in the Premier League! It's all about adapting and evolving, you know? 😊 Like that time when Spider-Man learned to work with his web-slinging skills 🕸️ - it took him a while to get the hang of it, but once he did, BAM! He was unstoppable 💥. Arteta's got this down pat, and I think what's key is understanding when to mix things up and keep opponents guessing 🔮. It's all about being clever with your set pieces, just like in that movie "The Prestige" 🔪 - you gotta know how to use the system to get those sweet, sweet goals 🏆!
 
Wow 🤯 Arsenal's new set-piece coach is really paying off for them! It's awesome to see Arteta's tactics coming together and his team getting the results they need 💪. I'm loving how this trend is spreading across the Premier League - it just goes to show that what works is always going to be popular 😎.
 
I think its dope to see set pieces making a comeback in the Premier League 🤩! I've been watching Stoke City's old school approach and now its like a cool retro vibe 😎, especially with teams like Arsenal killing it from corners & free kicks. Pep Guardiola even gave props to those Stoke City days 🙌, shows you that what works is what matters! The pressure in the Premier League can be crazy intense, but Arteta's team is showing they can handle it 💪
 
I think its dope how Mikel Arteta's getting results from set-pieces 🤩 Arsenal's not just some fancy team with a bunch of superstar players, they're showing everyone that you don't need to be flashy to win big. And honestly, I'm loving the fact that old-school tactics are making a comeback 🔥 It shows that the beautiful game is all about strategy and cleverness, not just about who can kick it around the most. Pep Guardiola himself said it, so if he's giving Stoke City props for using set-plays, I'm definitely on board 🙌 The fact that teams like Brentford and Tottenham are embracing similar tactics too is a big deal. It shows that we're moving away from just relying on individual talent and towards a more team-based approach. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good long throw? 😂
 
I'm loving this resurgence of set pieces in the Premier League 🤩! Arteta's Arsenal is doing a great job, and I'm not surprised they're reaping the benefits. We used to get roasted for our "old-fashioned" tactics at Stoke, but we knew it was all about getting results on the pitch 💪. It's great to see other managers like Pep Guardiola and Thomas Frank jumping on the bandwagon too 🤝. I think people forget that winning is what matters most in football, not just playing fancy passing games ⚽️. Arteta knows how to get it done, and Arsenal fans should be loving every minute of it 💥!
 
You know, I think its pretty awesome how set pieces are back in vogue at Arsenal 🤩. I mean, people were always going to forget about the old-school Stoke way of getting points from corners and free kicks. But Arteta gets it, he knows that sometimes just being smart on the pitch is what wins you games. And honestly, I love how all these top managers are now copying our tactics - its a sign of respect, right? 🙏 It goes to show that when something works, why change it? The Premier League is getting more exciting by the minute and I'm loving every minute of it 😁. Can't wait to see what happens next! 👊
 
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