'I don't know if it's allowed': Leverkusen boss questions Arsenal set-piece tactics

[p]Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Hjulmand asked whether blocking opponents should be permitted, particularly with the influence of set pieces in the game growing.[/p][p][b]"It's a big challenge, but I have to say, I'm a bit confused by these offensive blocks. I don't know if it's allowed under the rules when the ball is very far away,"[/b] Hjulmand told reporters.[/p][p]Mikel Arteta's side sit on top of the Premier League thanks in large part to their success from set-pieces.[/p][p]They equalled the Premier League single-season record for goals from corners with two in their 2-1 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] to reach 16 for the campaign.[/p][p]In the Champions League, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] won eight from eight to finish atop the 36-team table.[/p][p]"We also do it, so it's not just something others do. But it's getting more and more common in football," Hjulmand said of the practice.[/p][p][b]"There are very many blocks and they (Arsenal) create a lot of chances as a result of it.[/b][/p][p][b]"They do it very well and spend a lot of time on these situations. They're one of the best teams in these situations and they work with it a lot."[/b][/p][embed guid="1adfd455-283c-4b54-992f-3a5e24da99a6" url="https://x.com/bayer04_en/status/2031008101403676771?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The Dane said he thought blocks were only permitted close to the ball.[/p][p]"As I understand football, when you do body checks, the ball has to be inside a playing situation.[/p][p][b]"So I'm just wondering - is it inside the rules to actually block without the ball being close to you. Creating space, pushing players, pushing the goalkeeper?"[/b][/p][p]Hjulmand was the latest to join the chorus critical of Arsenal's tactics.[/p][p]Earlier in March, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a] coach Fabian Hurzeler hit out at Arsenal's time-wasting, saying "only one team wanted to play football" in their 1-0 defeat to the league leaders.[/p][p]Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton questioned whether Arsenal could be the "ugliest" Premier League winners in history after their victory over Chelsea.[/p][p]But the Premier League leaders have embraced the criticism, with fans chanting "set-piece again, ole, ole".[/p][p]Before the Brighton clash, Arteta told reporters he is "upset that we don't score more" from dead-ball situations.[/p]