Arsenal actions see PGMOL urged to make rule change following Man Utd defeat

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The Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have been urged to crack down on goalkeepers being swarmed at corners, following a goal scored by Arsenal against Manchester United . Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg insists that officials need to take a tougher stance to prevent attacking teams from exploiting such situations.

Despite a 3-2 loss , the Gunners once again demonstrated their set-piece skills when Mikel Merino netted a goal after a corner in the 84th minute. United's goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, was overwhelmed and unable to effectively intercept the ball, allowing the Spaniard to seize the opportunity.

Clattenburg is advocating for stricter enforcement of this situation. The former Gladiators referee believes that awarding more free kicks will quickly discourage this tactic.

Moreover, the retired official thinks this would simply align the game with how football is played in European competitions. It's clear that this has become more common when set-piece coaches were employed by clubs to get any advantage possible," Clattenburg told United In Focus .

"It's something the PGMOL and Premier League need to address, and any blocking on the goalkeeper must be punished by a free-kick.

"Yes, more fouls will be given at first, but when teams realise they will not be allowed to use this tactic, they will stop. We see this tactic used less in the Champions League as referees punish more!"

However, not everyone believes goalkeepers need extra protection from players crowding their area. Former Manchester United and Everton defender John O'Kane reckons teams simply need to be smarter in how they defend these situations.

"It ain't rocket science," he said. "Coaches have to start leaving two or three players on the halfway line.

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"Stoke [a nickname being used to describe Arsenal ] have found a loophole in s***housery of obstructing the goalkeeper."

United's players didn't seem bothered after their victory, with Amad even making light of Arsenal's set-piece prowess.

Mikel Arteta's team have netted 26 goals from dead-ball situations this campaign. The Ivory Coast international replied to one supporter saying: "Your only hope is corner," along with a laughing emoji.

Arteta, though, accepted full blame for the home defeat to United. "I take full responsibility [today], they have to take full responsibility for what they've done for seven months, in the manner that they behaved, how much they want it," he said.

"And now, in the process of winning, you have to lose or draw. It's how you react to that. Now we have another opportunity, the best place to talk is on the pitch, in three days' time, when we play in the Champions League again.

"And the better the energy is around everybody - around the staff, myself, the players, and especially our supporters, much better. And much better we'll play freely, we'll flow, and we'll continue to win a lot of matches, I'm sure."

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