Mikel Arteta warns Gunners to adapt as set‑piece crackdown looms

On a damp London morning, Mikel Arteta surveyed the Arsenal training ground, aware that the Gunners must overhaul their set‑piece routines before the season opens with the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday, 15 August 2026.

By ISAAN KHAN, REPORTER

Published: 22:30, 15 August 2026 | Updated: 22:33, 15 August 2026

New set‑piece laws roll out

The 2026‑27 campaign will feature an unprecedented number of new laws, most of them aimed at speeding up the flow of English football.

These changes will be deployed across English football this weekend, including Arsenal’s Community Shield match against Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal move for this talented midfielder should Arteta snap him

The new regulations introduce countdowns for goal‑kicks and throw‑ins, time‑limited substitutions and a crackdown on holding during set‑pieces.

Arsenal have previously drawn attention for their physical set‑plays, and Arteta admitted the team will need to adapt to stay within the new rules.

‘We have had the Premier League and the referees there with us to explain and go through everything,’ Arteta said. ‘In pre‑season we had the opportunity to see and experience some of them. We will have to see when the season starts and what is doable.’

Managerial shake‑up raises stakes

The managerial landscape has shifted dramatically: Enzo Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Andoni Iraola has taken over from Arne Slot at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso succeeded Maresca at Chelsea, Michael Carrick was appointed permanent manager at Manchester United in May, and Roberto De Zerbi arrived at Tottenham at the end of the 2025‑26 season.

Arteta added, ‘We will have a lot of challengers looking at the squads, at the managers and at the clubs they are, but we know that. We need to focus on ourselves and maximise every resource we have.’