Tony Adams has called for the PGMOL to tighten up the rules around obstruction despite Arsenal's success from set-pieces this season and in recent times.
The Gunners have been front and centre of several officiating controversies - including during their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, where William Saliba was sent-off and David Raya conceded a penalty. Adams, who was known for his physical defending during his playing days, believes that referees need to stop "wrestling" at dead-balls, as it has gone too far.
He said: "Back in my day, I don't know whether obstruction came into it as you used to have to defend properly and not wrestle people to the ground. Likewise when you're in the other box, you had to move away from them because the goalkeeper probably got too much protection during those days when I used to play."
Adams recalled his own experiences of using blocks to defend from set-pieces, including in a 1993 derby win, but reckons that the current situation needs to be addressed. "It was a subtle block but I see things today that actually are kind of crossing the line, there are people wrestling each other to the ground," he added.
"They're [Arsenal] doing well, don't get me wrong and they've got away with it so far but I do think the rules need looking at. The obstruction rule seems to have gone out the window."
Ahead of the 2024/225 Premier League season, PGMOL stated "the offence of holding (i.e. blocking or obstructing) will be penalised more stringently in set-pieces, when an attacker is trying to stop the movement of an opponent."
However, Arsenal - and other clubs - appear to be cleverly taking advantage of a certain leniency, especially when it comes to blocking and stepping on the goalkeeper's toes. Arsenal topped the Premier League charts, last season, with 22 goals from set-pieces, 16 of which came from corners.
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That helped them equal the record for the most in a single top-flight season.
The man behind that success is set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, who continues to drive Arsenal's prowess in this area. After Bukayo Saka scored directly from a free-kick during the 2-0 Champions League victory vs PSG, manager Mikel Arteta praised the team's set-piece ability.
He said: "It's another weapon [set-pieces] we have. We have great takers and at the moment a very physical team that can duel for the ball. We work on it a lot, so big credit to the coaches and then the players for buying into the plans and understanding that these things are game changers."
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