Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brushed aside criticism of his side’s set-piece routines on Tuesday, dismissing accusations of time-wasting while insisting he is frustrated his team do not score even more from corners.

The Premier League leaders have scored 16 goals from corners this season, equalling the league record with nine matches still to play. While their efficiency from dead-ball situations has been a major factor in their title push, it has also sparked debate over the evolving role of set-pieces in modern football.

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler, whose side face Arsenal on Wednesday, questioned the Gunners’ approach, suggesting they sometimes “spend over one minute” preparing to take a corner.

Arteta, however, showed little sympathy for the complaints.

“I’m upset that we don’t score more,” he told reporters. “And we concede as well. We want to be the best and the most dominant team in every aspect of the game.”

The Spaniard described the criticism as part of the modern tactical landscape, arguing that teams are increasingly forced to find marginal gains as open-play opportunities become harder to create.

“Before, when you used to do a game plan and invert a full-back or bring an extra player into midfield, or play with a false nine — four versus three inside, two versus one inside — teams would react differently,” Arteta explained.

“Now teams are adapting. After every sequence of play — a throw-in, a restart, open play — they know exactly what to do. Everything is almost man-to-man. It’s not going to be a different game unless we change the rules, because that’s the evolution of it.”

Hurzeler, meanwhile, called for clearer regulations regarding time management, arguing that supporters deserve greater consistency in effective playing time.

“Every supporter who pays a lot of money to come to the stadium should see the same net game time,” the Brighton coach said. “Sometimes we have 50 minutes of net game time instead of 65. The game is changing so much.”

Arsenal currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though they have played one match more than second-placed Manchester City as the title race intensifies.