Scoring goals isn’t always easy in football, particularly when you factor in the calibre of defenders that attackers tend to come up against. But a select few teams have demonstrated a knack for the art.
Arsenal, for example, have proven to be a nightmare team to defend set-pieces against, with Mikel Arteta’s side leading the way when it comes to goals from dead ball situations. While that’s earned praise from certain corners of English football, others have been quick to label them a team reliant on corners, free-kicks and throw-ins alike.
However, as supporters saw during their 4-0 win against Leeds United, they can be equally lethal from open play when everything comes together. And using information from WhoScored, we can see exactly how the Gunners compare to all other teams in the Premier League when it comes to free-flowing goals.
Premier League Clubs Ranked by Goals From Open Play: 20-16
Unsurprisingly, it’s Wolverhampton Wanderers who are at the foot of the table here, primarily due to them struggling to score at all, whether that’s from set-pieces or not. Their nine strikes from open play make up a good proportion of their 15 goals to date, with a misfiring forward line a big reason why the Old Gold are facing the drop.
Crystal Palace, though, might surprise a few people with their placement. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s recent misfortune has meant that Oliver Glasner’s side have struggled for goals. They trail behind 18th place West Ham, with the Irons also hoping to avoid the drop. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side might be in the bottom three here, but they have actually managed more goals in total than four of the teams above them.
While Sunderland might be flying high in their first season back in the Premier League, the Black Cats are a bottom four side when it comes to goals from live ball situations. And completing the bottom five are Everton, with David Moyes’ Toffees scoring just over half their goals from open play.
Goals Scored From Open Play by Premier League Clubs (2025/26) – 20-16
Rank
Team
Total Goals
Goals From Open Play
20
Wolves
15
9
19
Crystal Palace
25
10
18
West Ham
29
13
17
Sunderland
27
13
16
Everton
26
14
Premier League Clubs Ranked by Goals From Open Play: 15-11
When it comes to proportion of goals scored from open play, few teams are above Burnley surprisingly. Scott Parker’s Clarets might well be among the favourites to go down, but they’re putting up a fight. Despite being more renowned for their defensive style, they’ve still managed to score 15 times from slick moves. However, only Wolves have scored fewer than the Turf Moor side.
Nottingham Forest might well be looking over their shoulder as they bid to avoid the drop, but they are a mid-table side when it comes to open play goals. Bizarrely, they trail just one strike behind Brentford, who are enjoying an excellent season under new boss Keith Andrews.
The Bees have been able to capitalise on a host of situations thanks to the form of Igor Thiago. The Brazilian has been especially prolific when it comes to penalties, with the west Londoners leading all other teams for spot kicks scored, but he’s still managed 11 other goals from open play.
Newcastle might have expected to struggle for output following the departure of Alexander Isak in the summer, but replaced him in the form of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. Nevertheless, Eddie Howe’s side also have work to do when it comes to creating opportunities, as they’ve only managed five more open play goals than set-piece strikes. Leeds United, though, have shot up the list thanks to their recent 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest, as Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin added three to their tally.
Goals Scored From Open Play by Premier League Clubs (2025/26) – 15-11
Rank
Club
Total Goals
Goals From Open Play
15
Burnley
25
15
14
Nottingham Forest
25
15
13
Brentford
36
16
12
Newcastle United
33
16
11
Leeds United
34
18
Premier League Clubs Ranked by Goals From Open Play: 10-6
When it comes to total goals, Bournemouth are up there with the highest-scoring teams in the Premier League. The Cherries have managed 40 efforts so far, and they’ve managed to spread that across set-pieces and open play pretty evenly. That being said, some might have hoped that they would be even more productive from open play scenarios.
Both Fulham and Tottenham are tied for live-ball goals, although it’s Spurs who steal a march in the table thanks to their higher tally acting as a tie-breaker. Both London clubs are just behind Chelsea, with the Blues scoring 21 times from open play compared to 12 times from set-pieces. However, they lack a player with 10 or more league goals presently — Joao Pedro leads the way on nine — which highlights the need for greater ruthlessness when chances present themselves.
Falling just outside the top five, though, are the so-called set-piece team themselves. Arsenal might well have found a cheat code from corners and free-kicks, but the Gunners have proven that they possess talented players who can score from all areas. Impressively, Arteta’s squad also lead the way for big chances missed (51), indicating that they might have ranked higher for set-piece and open play goals if their forward line had been more clinical.
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Goals Scored From Open Play by Premier League Clubs (2025/26) – 10-6
Rank
Club
Total Goals
Goals From Open Play
10
Bournemouth
40
19
9
Fulham
34
20
8
Tottenham
35
20
7
Chelsea
42
21
6
Arsenal
46
22
Premier League Clubs Ranked by Goals From Open Play: 5-1
The top five, though, have proven that they are the best of the best when it comes to creativity. Brighton have always had a reputation for playing an attractive brand of football, and that shines through in the statistics. The Seagulls have managed 23 open-play goals to date – and the fact that none have come from counters highlights that they are excellent at crafting chances when in possession.
Aston Villa’s fourth-place standing would have been a surprise at the start of the season, considering that Unai Emery’s side seemingly couldn’t buy a goal. But the Villans have kicked on since then, with Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers spearheading a fearsome attack. Speaking of kicking on, Manchester United have left 2024/25 far behind them, rising not only up the table but also the goalscoring charts. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have brought new lease of life to Old Trafford, and the attacking numbers prove that.
Taking second place, though, are Liverpool. It can’t be too surprising to see them here, considering that they spent so heavily on attacking talent. But Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are both gelling well now, leading to greater potency in front of goal from both new signings.
But at the top of the pile are Manchester City. Pep Guardiola was never one to shy away from free-flowing football, with his tiki-taka style still clear for all to see. Having Erling Haaland, one of the best strikers in the world, as your starting number nine also means that many of those moves end with the ball in the back of the net. It’ll just be frustrating that City’s attacking prowess hasn’t resulted in them leading the charge for league silverware this season.
Goals Scored From Open Play by Premier League Clubs (2025/26) – 5-1
Rank
Club
Total Goals
Goals From Open Play
5
Brighton
34
23
4
Aston Villa
35
23
3
Manchester United
44
26
2
Liverpool
39
27
1
Manchester City
49
31
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored – Correct as of 02/02/2026
