Ball "in the corner area"

I don't necessarily want to restart what the debate about where "in the area" means (whether hanging over the line is "in"), but it looks like not even PGMOL officials can agree....

26th minute of 1st half: (same on video): http://footballorgin.com/epl-manchester-city-vs-burnley-full-match-replay/

68th minute of 2nd half: (23.10 on video): http://footballorgin.com/epl-manchester-city-vs-burnley-full-match-replay/2/
http://footballorgin.com/epl-manchester-city-vs-burnley-full-match-replay/2/
The next few minutes are interesting but that's another story. (So is the 81st minute - no wonder Guardiola was "awkward" in the interview - that was Ward's third "lunge". Not often I'd encourage a player to roll back on for treatment, but no, that's not me in the crowd in the old blue shirt...)

It seems to be an growing trend to place the ball so that it is only just within the corner arc - it seems every (perceived) advantage counts! I can perhaps see the point in grass roots/park football where the corner area might not be in best condition but I can't see the benefit on a top level professional pitch. Incidentally, while watching grass roots/park games recently I've seen two occasions where the ball has been placed clearly outwith the arc which is difficult for a solo referee to spot.

I was AR'ng on Saturday and at the far corner along my side (ie not the corner I can stand on) I could see the player taking the corner placed the ball about 2 yards along the goal line towards the goal - it was so far from the corner and clearly not near the arc I thought he wasn't even getting ready to take the kick...then I realised what he was trying and I was just getting ready to make an awkward run past the half way line / yell at the ref when a defender pointed it out to the ref and the ref noticed / dealt with it before the kick...I still can't believe someone would try to get away with that in a reasonably serious league with an experienced ref and two neutral assistants.

For those corners I have been told to start my arc from a position where I can be reasonably assured that the ball is within the arc before starting to move.

It might just be a glance and I would certainly not wish a defender to point it out for me! It's the silly sort of thing that can effect your credibility with players. It's the same sort of thing as overlooking a rolling ball at a restart,