In a blistering TV interview following weekend Premier League action, Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal’s set-piece tactics, arguing that the league leaders have systematically “blocked the opponent’s goalkeeper all season long.”
The Danish Hall of Fame shot-stopper, known for his own commanding presence in the box, did not hold back his criticism. Speaking as a pundit, Schmeichel claimed that Arsenal’s remarkable rise to the top of the table is built on an illegal foundation.
“They have been blocking the opponent’s goalkeeper all season long,” Schmeichel charged. “It is a clear foul. Every single week, you see a player deliberately obstructing the keeper without any intention of playing the ball.”
The former United No. 1 argued that referees and VAR have been far too lenient with Mikel Arteta’s side, particularly during corner kicks and free-kicks. According to Schmeichel, if the laws of the game were applied correctly, Arsenal’s goal tally would shrink dramatically—and so would their league position.
“They would NEVER be on top of the league if we disallow these goals,” he insisted. “Take those cheap set-piece goals away, and they are a mid-table team. It’s not football—it’s tactical obstruction, and they are getting away with murder.”
Schmeichel’s outburst is likely to reignite the debate over “blocking” tactics in the penalty area, which have become a hallmark of Arsenal’s strategy this campaign. While the Premier League has traditionally allowed a degree of physical contact on set pieces, critics argue that the Gunners have pushed the boundary beyond what is permissible.
Arsenal declined to comment on the former goalkeeper’s remarks, but their recent matches show a consistent pattern: players surrounding the opposition keeper, creating a moving screen that leaves the goalkeeper unable to claim crosses.
Fans and pundits are now waiting to see whether the Premier League’s refereeing body will issue guidance on the matter. For now, Schmeichel’s warning stands as a red card to the league leaders—suggesting their title charge may owe more to the officials’ blind spots than to footballing superiority.
