If any type of six-yard occupation rule had been applied since 2021, Arsenal would still have been the best set-piece team in the world in this timeframe. The team’s understanding and application of corner principles is levels above anyone. They were going to find other ways.

If any type of six-yard occupation rule had been applied since 2021, Arsenal would still have been the best set-piece team in the world in this timeframe. The team’s understanding and application of corner principles is levels above anyone. They were going to find other ways.

How Harry Kane and Desire Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

How Harry Kane and Desire Doue’s positioning helped propel PSG-Bayern into a Champions League classic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

It was short corners again when Arsenal defeated Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday, but rather than using them to disrupt the defensive organisation and put crosses into the penalty area (Merino's goal at SJP), they created space for Eze outside the 18-yard box. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

It was short corners again when Arsenal defeated Newcastle 1-0 on Saturday, but rather than using them to disrupt the defensive organisation and put crosses into the penalty area (Merino's goal at SJP), they created space for Eze outside the 18-yard box. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

"Bruno (Fernandes) can just create moments. That little bit of freedom suits him," Michael Carrick told TNT Sports in February. "He has got a natural brain for (how) the game adapts and evolves." Piece on Fernandes' wide overloads in Manchester United's attack. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

How Bruno Fernandes' wide overloads are empowering Manchester United's attack under Michael Carrick. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

How Bruno Fernandes' wide overloads are empowering Manchester United's attack under Michael Carrick. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Nico O'Reilly was key to Man City's gameplan yesterday. His unpredictable positioning caused Arsenal's press problems, and his runs inside Doku into the channel led to good chances. The two factors came together for the winning goal. (free to read) ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

I lost my dad over Easter Going to watch Palace with him was special, to both of us. For so many years it was a shared bond. It brought us joy Loved sharing memories with him, about the grounds I visited & him recalling when he went there before This is a piece of my memories, in his memory #CPFC

Against Bournemouth’s high press, Arsenal played out on multiple occasions, but their next action failed them. Then technical shortcomings kept occurring. Piece on how Arsenal's disastrous execution prevented them from playing through Bournemouth. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Against Bournemouth’s high press, Arsenal played out on multiple occasions, but their next action failed them. Then technical shortcomings kept occurring. Piece on how Arsenal's disastrous execution prevented them from playing through Bournemouth. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Was impressed with Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann's positioning and movement against Barcelona yesterday. Piece on how Griezmann and Alvarez's deeper positions on the counter-attack swung the game against Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Why Brighton's open-play crosses are dangerous #BHAFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Why Brighton's open-play crosses are dangerous #BHAFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Piece on Mohamed Salah's Premier League legacy from a different perspective, the Egyptian one 🔒 Free to read كلمتين عن إرث محمد صلاح الكروي في الدوري الإنجليزي المقال مفتوح للجميع www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

How Arsenal's midfield transitions cut through Bayer Leverkusen. Analysis of Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Leverkusen in the second leg of the round of 16. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

"It's not total free-for-all where you can kind of go and decide — it's a little bit of where you end up," said Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, last month. Piece on United's flexible front four under Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

"It's not total free-for-all where you can kind of go and decide — it's a little bit of where you end up," said Manchester United's head coach, Michael Carrick, last month. Piece on United's flexible front four under Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...

It is one year since Manchester United announced plans for a new home. Projected cost: £2bn. Today, debt nears its highest level, transfer debts top £300m and cash is tight. A deep look at #MUFC's debt, in the shadow of a new stadium: @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Newcastle United should maintain their proactive approach and diverse runs in behind at the Camp Nou. Analysis of Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Newcastle United should maintain their proactive approach and diverse runs in behind at the Camp Nou. Analysis of Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Top 10 Premier League corner goals analysed. The idea of the corner alone doesn’t put it onto the list, its execution and applied principles also factor into the equation. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Top 10 Premier League corner goals analysed. The idea of the corner alone doesn’t put it onto the list, its execution and applied principles also factor into the equation. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

On the Championship’s expanded play-offs... 🗳️ Vote was 67 clubs for, 1 abstention, 3 absent & 1 against. Can you guess who? 🪂 Some say it will give non-parachute clubs a better chance 🐘 Cov City’s semi-final seeding idea 💷 L1/L2 next…but when? www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Benjamin Sesko’s obsession with self-improvement is beginning to pay off • becoming more ‘explosive’ • NFL-style training drills • VR headsets • testing his reflexes at home • No 9 shirt decision w/ @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social + @ahmed-walid.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Niche content: Corinthians Feminino put a player on either side of the box at penalties, rather than having everyone behind the box. I used Pythagoras’ theorem for the first time since my GCSEs and watched 50 saved penalties to see if others should do it too. ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

The Premier League landscape has changed. The rise in physicality, duels and man-marking has meant that there are spaces to attack on the transition once you win the ball in midfield. Arsenal or Man City will be champions with more than just control. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The Premier League landscape has changed. The rise in physicality, duels and man-marking has meant that there are spaces to attack on the transition once you win the ball in midfield. Arsenal or Man City will be champions with more than just control. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Despite having some problems in terms of control/finishing off games, and inconsistencies in the build-up and high press phases, Manchester City's attack in the final third has been impressive this season. Piece on how they adapted w/o Doku and Savinho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Despite having some problems in terms of control/finishing off games, and inconsistencies in the build-up and high press phases, Manchester City's attack in the final third has been impressive this season. Piece on how they adapted w/o Doku and Savinho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

A column on Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

A column on Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Variance, new ball and quality of individuals are some of the reasons behind the rise in long-range goals in the PL. Teams and players are also creating better shooting situations from outside the box. Is this affecting the type of long-range goals? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Variance, new ball and quality of individuals are some of the reasons behind the rise in long-range goals in the PL. Teams and players are also creating better shooting situations from outside the box. Is this affecting the type of long-range goals? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

High blocks, low blocks, everywhere you look...blocks. Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style. @theathleticfc.bsky.social Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Michael Carrick and his coaching staff have added to Manchester United’s strong base on attacking set pieces. Bryan Mbeumo’s goal against Spurs is an example of how they are building on one of the team’s strengths from corners this season. #MUFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Michael Carrick and his coaching staff have added to Manchester United’s strong base on attacking set pieces. Bryan Mbeumo’s goal against Spurs is an example of how they are building on one of the team’s strengths from corners this season. #MUFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Teams are taking fewer shots from outside the box than ever in the Premier League, yet long-range goals are at their highest since 2013–14. Explored why this is happening: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Michael Carrick was often considered 'boring' in his playing career. But there are lots of benefits to being considered boring, and that might work well in his managerial career too. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

You’d never know this from the way the team is talked about but Arsenal rank 2nd in goals scored in the Premier League and just finished the League Phase of the Champions League with the most goals scored.

How Fulham's runs in behind are helping their fight for a European spot. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

NEW POD 🚨 Arsenal, open play goals and Premier League vs Champions League styles. @oilysailor.bsky.social @ahmed-walid.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/383752

How Fulham's runs in behind are helping their fight for a European spot. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

The incidence of injuries increases when a new manager joins the club, but why might this be? Factors as simple as training pitches, training schedules, and tactical role changes can contribute to injury risk. Link to the article for @theathleticfc.bsky.social here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...