Mikel Arteta has indicated that Arsenal may need to alter their established set-piece routines in response to a series of new regulations being implemented for the upcoming 2026-27 football season. The changes, designed primarily to enhance the pace and fluidity of matches, will take effect across all levels of English football this weekend, commencing with Arsenal's Community Shield fixture against Manchester City on Sunday.
Among the new laws are mandatory countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins, time limits for substitutions, and a stricter enforcement of rules regarding holding during set-piece situations. Arsenal has previously drawn attention for their physically assertive approach to set plays, and the club will now need to ascertain how to operate within these new parameters.
Arteta acknowledged the league's efforts to clarify these changes. "We have had the Premier League and the referees there with us to explain and go through everything," he stated. "In pre-season we had the opportunity to see and experience some of them. We will have to see when the season starts and how this unfolds and what is more doable and what is less doable and what we need to adapt."
He specifically mentioned the prohibition of using towels during set-pieces as a notable adjustment. "Not being able to use the towels is already a big one in the Premier League," Arteta noted. "Something else will come up for sure. We know that everybody is paying so much to the details, all the restarts and the countdowns, that will bring someone else, a different dynamic, different momentum."
Arteta expressed curiosity about the practical application of the new rules, believing they are fundamentally aimed at improving the game. "So I am very curious to see. They are really good rules because what we are doing is trying to promote more game time and the fluidity of the games which is better and hopefully that will work."
Beyond the tactical adjustments, Arteta also commented on the evolving managerial landscape within the Premier League's top clubs. The influx of new managers at rival teams, including Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, Michael Carrick at Manchester United, and Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, presents a heightened challenge.
"We will have a lot of challengers looking at the squads, at the managers and at the clubs they are, but we know that," Arteta said. "We need to focus on ourselves and making sure that we maximise every resource we have to give ourselves the best chance. Then day by day it is going to be a long, long run."
He added, "With a few managers as well and some new ones coming into the league that are exceptional. We know this league is full of incredible managers. It is so challenging every week to prepare games against them. That will elevate our level and my level for sure and we will try to be better."