Arsenal Fans Excited About Proposed Corner Rule Change Amid Team's Recent Success
- A new rule is set to punish time-wasting by goalkeepers by awarding corners to the opposition, and Arsenal fans are excited
- The proposed change is expected to deter goalkeepers from holding on to the ball longer, and it has been tested in the Premier League 2
- Arsenal have scored 22 goals from corners since last season, and their prowess was evident when they recently defeated Manchester United
Arsenal fans have hailed a new regulation that could result in more corner kicks for their team.
This season, the Gunners have made effective use of corners, and they have adopted them as their new weapon.
This was clear when they defeated Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday, December 4, with both goals coming from corners.
Source: UGC
What is the new corner rule?
Lawmakers are considering a rule change that will award a corner to the opposition if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds.
The proposed change has been tested in Premier League 2 and trialled in Malta and Italy's under-20 league. If it deters goalkeepers from holding the ball for too long, it could be introduced across the top leagues, per The Times.
Referees can award an indirect free-kick if a goalkeeper holds on to the ball for too long. However, this is rarely enforced due to the complicated nature of managing the free-kick, which also creates a golden opportunity to score.
Is the new rule working?
Patrick Nelson, the Irish FA’s chief executive and International Football Association Board (IFAB) board member, suggested that the rule has worked.
“The instances of corners being awarded are almost non-existent, which would indicate to us, certainly looking at the data, that the deterrent is exactly what we would want it to be at this point, and it’s speeding up the goalkeepers letting go of the ball and bringing it back into play.”
Goalkeepers have built habits of holding on to the ball long enough to waste time, especially towards the end of the match. Some have even deliberately taken yellow cards to waste as much time as possible.
If introduced, goalkeepers will want to release the ball as quickly as possible, especially when facing Arsenal, who have proven to be masters of scoring from corners.
The Gunners have scored 22 goals from corners since the start of the 2023/24 season, per BBC.
Fans react to new time-wasting rule
"Gabriel is going to win the Golden Boot."
"No don't do this Arsenal are gonna abuse this."
"Arsenal are about to go unbeaten."
@obai316:
"Arsenal will win the league by September."
@ccc_4our:
"Goalies will not hold on to the ball vs Arsenal then." 😂
Arsenal fan tragically killed
Legit.ng earlier reported that one Arsenal fan sadly lost his life after he was tragically killed by a security guard in the aftermath of the Gunner's 2-0 victory against rivals Manchester United.
The Gunners fan, John Ssenyonga, died at the Africa Restaurant in Uganda after a private security officer opened fire just after the match ended. Another supporter was injured in the incident.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
