Tottenham Hotspur F.C. star appears to take a swipe at Arsenal F.C. while criticizing what he described as “boring” football in the Premier League. ⚽
The style of football currently being played in the Premier League has become a major talking point, with Arsenal F.C. often at the center of the debate.
With eight matches remaining, the Gunners sit top of the table, seven points ahead of Manchester City F.C., who still have a game in hand. Despite being on the brink of a huge achievement, many critics remain unconvinced by their approach.
Some argue that Mikel Arteta’s team depends too heavily on set-pieces and gamesmanship rather than the attacking, fluid football that fans once enjoyed during the era of Arsène Wenger. After his team’s defeat to Arsenal, Fabian Hürzeler admitted he would never adopt such a style as a manager.
However, former England striker Michael Owen defended Arsenal, saying the team has played well throughout most of the campaign. He pointed out that sometimes teams must win in less attractive ways, and Arsenal deserve credit for consistently finding ways to secure victories.
Beyond the criticism aimed at Arsenal, a broader conversation has emerged about whether modern football has become less entertaining. One player from Tottenham Hotspur F.C. has also shared his concerns.
Mathys Tel Criticizes Set-Piece Heavy Football
Spurs winger Mathys Tel described Premier League matches as “boring to watch,” largely because of the strong focus on set-pieces. Speaking in an interview with streamer Zack Nani, he suggested that the league lacks the kind of flair seen elsewhere.
Tel explained that matches now feel more like tactical battles between two teams sticking rigidly to their ideas rather than entertaining spectacles. According to him, fans rarely see exciting moments such as the skills of Vinícius Júnior or the explosive pace of Kylian Mbappé. Instead, games appear highly structured, sometimes excessively so.
He also joked that set-pieces have become chaotic, even admitting he once told the assistant coach responsible for them not to involve him because the situation around the box often feels like a “zoo.”
Critics of Tottenham might argue that this attitude partly explains why Spurs are struggling this season and currently sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s success shows how effective attention to detail can be. Under Arteta, they not only lead the league in set-piece goals with 22 but also boast the best defensive record, conceding just 22 goals so far. In addition, they are among the few clubs in Europe’s top five leagues to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season, alongside FC Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.
Arne Slot Shares Similar Concerns
Tel is not alone in questioning the direction of the modern Premier League. Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool F.C., recently made similar remarks about the current style of play.
Slot suggested that set-pieces seem to carry far greater importance in England than in other competitions, such as the Eredivisie. He also highlighted differences in officiating, particularly regarding physical contact with goalkeepers.
The Dutch coach admitted that while the Premier League remains incredibly competitive—where any team can beat another—it has become less enjoyable to watch purely from a footballing perspective. He even reflected nostalgically on the iconic FC Barcelona side from roughly a decade ago, whose matches many fans eagerly anticipated every week.
Interestingly, both Tottenham and Liverpool have struggled to meet expectations this season, which may partly explain their frustration with the evolving style of football in the Premier League. ⚽
