Under Mikel Arteta and set-piece specialist Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have emerged as the Premier League’s undisputed set-piece masters this season. The Gunners have already scored nine goals from dead-ball situations in just nine league matches — more than any other side in the division.

While Arsenal’s precision has set the standard, Pep Guardiola believes the roots of the Premier League’s current set-piece obsession stretch back much further — to Tony Pulis’ famously physical Stoke City side.

Speaking about the evolving tactical landscape of English football, the Manchester City boss suggested that the influence of teams like Pulis’ Stoke, Sam Allardyce’s sides, and Sean Dyche’s Burnley has shaped the modern emphasis on direct play and set-piece routines.

“Dyche is one of the best by far at these aspects — it’s not new, he’s done it before,” Guardiola said. “Or Sam Allardyce. Or I remember when I was not here — Stoke City. Do you remember Stoke City when they made the throws? It happened in that time.

“Now it’s just more and more teams doing that, but maybe Stoke was the exception. I remember when I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Arsène Wenger talked about going to play at Stoke City — but now it happens a lot of times.”

Despite acknowledging the trend, Guardiola stressed that his own focus remains on refining City’s attacking play through fluid movement and creativity, rather than prioritising set-piece routines.

“Every manager does what they believe,” he added. “I want to score from free-kicks and corners — I’m not naive — but my time goes into helping us play better, attack better, and create chances. Defensively, you have to be more aggressive, of course, but it’s about balance. That’s what I’ve done all my career.”

City face Swansea City on Wednesday night in the League Cup fourth round — a brief respite from league action and perhaps an opportunity for Guardiola to reassess his approach, as his side looks to rediscover its usual dominance.