Guardiola Throws Weight Behind Slot in Set-Piece Row: 'I'm Keeping My Mouth Shut'

Pep Guardiola has publicly supported Arne Slot's stance on Arsenal's set-piece obsession, conceding that whilst the Liverpool boss has a point, managers simply have to roll with the punches in today's Premier League.

The Manchester City manager's endorsement comes as Arsenal continue their relentless pursuit of the title with a devastating approach to dead-ball situations. Nicolas Jover, the Gunners' first-team coach, has become the architect of their set-piece success—so much so that he pockets a bonus each time Arsenal score from one.

The numbers tell a remarkable story. Arsenal have plundered 22 of their 58 Premier League goals from set-pieces this season, a tally only Newcastle can come close to matching. More striking still, the Gunners take an average of 44.4 seconds to restart play from set-pieces, a full three seconds longer than second-placed Sunderland. It's meticulous, it's methodical, and it's working.

Sunday's 2-1 victory over Chelsea perfectly encapsulated their blueprint—all three goals came from corners, a demonstration of just how central this approach has become to Arsenal's title push.

Slot ignited the debate on Monday, declaring that his football heart simply cannot embrace set-pieces and suggesting that much of Premier League football has become tedious to watch. Guardiola, speaking ahead of City's home fixture against Nottingham Forest, took a more pragmatic line.

"Set-pieces have started to be important," the City boss explained. "It was different when I started as a manager. When I was a young boy, we said the people in England celebrate corners and free-kicks like a goal. I remember perfectly, so nothing has changed in that way."

He drew parallels to the evolution of basketball, where the three-point shot has transformed the sport. "Arsenal dictate how they do it, and it is an important aspect. Four years ago in the NBA, the three-shot point was not involved as much, but now so many teams do it. It is part of the dynamics."

Guardiola's core argument? Complaining achieves nothing. Adaptation is everything. "You can sit and complain, but you have to adapt. It's part of the game. Every country has a specific way to do it, and every club have specific ways they play. I understand completely why [Slot's comments] and in some ways I agree."

When pressed on whether he actually enjoys watching set-pieces unfold, Guardiola was characteristically candid. "Yeah. It is what it is. It is the business I am in. I am a manager. I can't say, 'I don't like set-pieces'. I adapt and do it."

He expanded on the broader philosophy: "Football has been played in so many ways since it was created. How it is played in England is different in the way it is played in Spain or Italy. Every manager plays in different ways. How boring would it be if all the managers played in the same way. I have to adapt."

However, when the conversation turned to whether referees should police set-pieces differently, Guardiola became noticeably cagey. He holds a firm opinion on the matter but pointedly refused to air it publicly.

"I have a specific opinion about that and it remains to me. It is up to the referees," he said. "When you are on that subject normally, you lose your focus. The focus is Nottingham Forest and Vitor Pereira. If I start to talk about that, I will be in trouble tomorrow."

He concluded with characteristic restraint: "I have a completely detailed and precise opinion about that, but you'll have to ask the referees. Not to me."