Champions League four burning questions: Should Liverpool drop Alexander Isak? Arsenal set pieces unstoppable?

The Champions League Returns: Arsenal’s Set-Piece Storm Faces Atletico’s Iron Wall

The UEFA Champions League resumes this week in the curious in-between phase of its group stage that point where form tables start to take shape, but nothing is truly decided. Any standings topped by Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain feel like a fair reflection of where things may end up five games from now. Still, Qarabag’s surprise presence among the 100% clubs probably won’t last forever.

For now, the meaning of each result is murky. Does Liverpool’s defeat in Turkey really matter? Should Juventus worry about their winless run? Perhaps not yet. But intrigue is everywhere. Can Liverpool finally end their losing streak in Germany? And how will two of Europe’s most relentless sides Arsenal and Atletico Madrid measure up against one another?

Well, those may not be the only questions we should ask. But they’re certainly the ones shaping this week’s drama.

Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid: Can the Gunners Keep Dominating from Set Pieces?

Now this is a real test of Arsenal’s dead-ball brilliance. Atletico Madrid remain one of the most disciplined, street-smart defensive sides in Europe. They may not quite resemble the snarling, battle-hardened warriors of Diego Simeone’s early years, but when the moment demands, they can still grind, scrap, and frustrate with the best of them.

Their defensive structure, particularly on set pieces, remains elite. In fact, Atletico have conceded the fewest dead-ball goals of any La Liga team over the past three seasons an impressive feat given they rarely dominate possession like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Then again, they haven’t faced a team like Arsenal. Perhaps no one has. Arteta’s men are redefining what set-piece excellence looks like. With Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice delivering laser-precise balls into the box and targets like Gabriel Magalhães and Mikel Merino attacking them, Arsenal have scored 10 goals from set pieces already in the Premier League this season more than some teams manage all year.

Much of that success stems from the meticulous work of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. “Unfortunately, with the schedule we don’t have as much time as I’m sure Nico would love to have,” said Merino. “But we pay attention to every single detail, and with the small amount of time we have, we try to make the most of it.”

That attention to detail shows. It was Rice who spotted Newcastle’s weakness and called for a quick short corner that led to a goal, while Saka’s low near-post deliveries and lofted far-post crosses have become a nightmare to defend.

“Keep evolving and keep improving,” Arteta said recently of Arsenal’s set-piece system. “It’s something that has to learn and grow every game, every day based on what we do well, what we learn from the opposition, and how we adapt.”

Arteta’s obsession with marginal gains has taken him well beyond football’s borders. He’s consulted coaching greats like Eddie Jones, Steve Kerr, and Sean McVay in pursuit of the smallest details that can deliver the biggest rewards. Merino, too, draws inspiration from the NFL and it shows in Arsenal’s precision, timing, and discipline on every dead ball.

If any team can withstand that storm, it’s Atletico. But even they may find themselves tested by the Premier League’s most finely tuned weapon.