Thomas Tuchel is turning to the Premier League's standout set-piece practitioners for inspiration as England prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the blueprint he admires most belongs to Arsenal.

Arsenal, who clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years in May and came within a penalty shootout of lifting the UEFA Champions League, supplied more players to England's World Cup squad than any other club. That success has not gone unnoticed by Tuchel, who has made dead-ball situations a central pillar of training since the squad arrived in the United States.

Rice and Saka lead England's specialists

Declan Rice is widely regarded as one of the sharpest ball-strikers in European football. His corners have posed a consistent danger for Arsenal across the past two seasons, and he is expected to be one of England's primary takers at the tournament.

Chelsea's Reece James, who is set to start the World Cup as England's first-choice right back, is another player Tuchel trusts as a set-piece specialist — a familiarity built during their time together at Chelsea.

Bukayo Saka's dead-ball ability is also considered a significant weapon, though there is some concern within the England camp about managing the Arsenal attacker carefully at the start of the tournament as he deals with a tendonitis complaint.

A physical squad built for aerial threats

England's physical profile amplifies the set-piece threat considerably. Of the 10 outfield players who started against Costa Rica on Wednesday, only two — James and Elliot Anderson — stand under 6ft tall.

At his squad announcement press conference, Tuchel said :