Arsenal Engages Throw-In Coach to Enhance Set-Piece Strategy
Arsenal has begun collaborating with throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark as the Premier League leaders aim to bolster their effectiveness from set-pieces.
This season, the Gunners have scored 14 goals from set-pieces, the highest in the league, yet they have not yet capitalized on any opportunities generated from throw-ins.
Gronnemark will be working with Arsenal on a part-time basis. The Danish coach previously served under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool from 2018 to 2023 and provided consultancy for Brentford.
Since the beginning of last season, no Premier League team has scored more goals from throw-in situations than Brentford, who have netted nine. In contrast, Arsenal is among five teams that have yet to score from throw-ins during the same period.
This season, Declan Rice has been designated as Arsenal's long-throw specialist, as the club increasingly utilizes long throws to create scoring opportunities in the opponent's penalty area.
Last season, 20 goals were scored from throw-in routines, while this season has already seen 25 goals scored through similar tactics.
Gronnemark previously stated to BBC Sport, "Throw-ins are underestimated by coaches, players, commentators, and fans as something you should just do and see what happens."
During his tenure at Liverpool, Gronnemark significantly improved the team's possession stats from throw-ins, raising them from 45.4% to 68.4%, elevating the club from 18th to 1st place in the league for this metric.
In 2018, he remarked, "If you are expecting professional footballers to be world-class throwers without coaching, then you are pretty optimistic. Generally, the standard is quite poor. A focus on throw-ins can save the life of small clubs as a technique to survive. But at the top of the league, it can aid in achieving a more fluid style of play. Regardless of league position, throw-ins provide an advantage."