Set Pieces: Overlooked in the Women’s Game?

Recently, some RSRE researchers and I have been discussing the importance of set pieces in the women’s game, leading me to wonder if they are overlooked in the women’s game.

The Impact of Set Pieces in Women's Football:

Research highlights the critical role set pieces now occupy. A study analysing the 2021/22 WSL season found that 27.08% of all goals were scored from set pieces (Craven, Oxenham & Ranaweera, 2025). This trend is mirrored on the international stage, where 27.4% of goals at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup also originated from set pieces (sportspath.com). Clearly, set-piece routines are a pivotal weapon in the modern game.

Arsenal's 2022/23 WSL Season: A Closer Look at Set-Piece Efficiency

In the 2022/23 Women's Super League season, Arsenal's attacking strategy revealed interesting insights into their use of set pieces. According to an analysis by Marc Lamberts, the teams 49 goals, were broken-down like this.

Total Goals Scored: 49 goals

Expected Goals (xG) (excluding penalties): 46.87

Goals Scored from Corners: 6.16 xG

Goals Scored from Set Pieces (excluding direct free kicks): 1.93 xG

Goals from Fast Breaks or Counter-Attacks: 1.34 xG

Goals from Direct Free Kicks: 0.41 xG

The analysis highlighted that shots from set pieces, particularly corners, had a higher expected goals value than penalties, underscoring the importance of set pieces in Arsenal's attacking strategy. While set pieces weren’t the highest source of goals, they remained a key aspect of their offensive play.

(Reference: Marc Lamberts, Arsenal in WSL 2022/23: A Broad Scale of Finishing)

Set Pieces in WSL 2023/24: Team Corner Statistics

An analysis of 85 WSL matches revealed that, on average, there were 10.01 corners per game. Teams like Arsenal and Chelsea had higher averages, with Arsenal winning 8.1 corners per match. This suggests a significant number of set-piece opportunities, including corners, which are crucial for scoring goals (WinDrawWin).

It’s clear they’re more than just a secondary tactic. So, are set pieces truly being overlooked in the women’s game — or are we just beginning to appreciate their full value?

References:

Craven, L., Oxenham, P. & Ranaweera, J., 2025. Analysis of attacking styles and goal-scoring in the 2021/22 Women's Super League. PLoS One, 20(2), e0318929. Available at: https://lnkd.in/ecYu8Sru

Lamberts, M., 2023. Arsenal in WSL 2022/23: A Broad Scale of Finishing. Medium. Available at: https://lnkd.in/eWDVghTu

Sportspath.com, 2023. Set-Piece Goals in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sportspath. Available at: https://sportspath.com

WinDrawWin, 2023. Team Corner Statistics in the WSL 2023/24 Season. WinDrawWin. Available at: https://lnkd.in/eVUEAssV