Arsenal have demonstrated a marked shift in their playing style this season, with a pronounced tendency to score decisively in the latter stages of matches. The team’s recent 3-0 victory over Lille in the Champions League highlighted this pattern, as all three goals came in the final 26 minutes, reflecting a broader trend of strong second-half performances.

So far this season, Arsenal have scored 14 goals in the second half of games, double the number they have netted in the opening 45 minutes. This contrasts with their previous campaign when set-pieces were a significant source of goals; the Gunners have yet to score from a corner or free-kick in their first ten matches this term, compared to 36 set-piece goals across all competitions last season.

Midfielder Mikel Merino attributed the team’s late-game success to a focused mentality, saying that despite physical fatigue, the players maintain mental sharpness. According to Merino, this dedication extends beyond those on the pitch to include substitutes, who arrive prepared to influence the game immediately. “It’s just the key to this squad — everyone is ready when they have the chance,” he said, citing his own role as an example.

Manager Mikel Arteta has placed increased emphasis on the impact of substitutes, renaming them “finishers” and integrating them strategically to alter the course of matches. In Tuesday’s clash against Lille, the introduction of Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka with 25 minutes remaining helped to seal the victory. While Jurrien Timber opened the scoring shortly before their arrival, the trio contributed to two additional goals within seven minutes, with Saka assisting on one and combining for another with Havertz. A similar scenario occurred earlier in the weekend’s Premier League match against Leeds United, where Bruno Guimaraes came off the bench to score the winning goal.

Arteta’s squad management and tactical adjustments appear to be paying dividends, particularly in fitness and stamina. The coach has revitalized the club’s fitness and medical teams over the summer, a move that Merino believes has improved the squad’s ability to maintain high intensity throughout matches. “The squad is fresh and ready to play at the highest level with the highest rhythm to the last minute," he said.

Last season’s patterns also showed a propensity for late goals, with Arsenal scoring nearly twice as many in the second half compared to the first after the initial ten games. Over the course of that campaign, the distribution of goals became more balanced, but the capacity to finish strongly remained a trademark.

While Arsenal’s set-piece effectiveness has diminished in the early stages of this season, their evolving strategy of capitalizing on opponents’ fatigue late in matches presents a new dimension to their play. This approach has allowed them to overcome slow starts and exert control in the closing periods, signaling a tactical mentality shift under Arteta’s leadership.