Former Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has confirmed he’s joining Arsenal to play the same role with the Gunners.
Reports over the weekend revealed that Arsenal have started working with throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark on a part-time basis, as they look to increase their set-piece threat.
Whilst Arsenal have scored more set-piece goals in the Premier League than anyone else this season, the BBC highlighted that doesn’t include a single goal from a chance created through a throw-in.
So it makes sense that Arsenal would look to Gronnemark, and the coach confirmed on social media: “It’s out. Yes, I coach Arsenal. Both in the “long” [and] “fast and clever” throw-in. No more comments at the moment.”
Up until recently, Gronnemark had been publicly critical of Arsenal’s throw-in strategies.
The coach had written on Instagram that it was “painful to watch the throw-ins from Arsenal and Tottenham” in the early minutes of the north London derby in November, adding: “The level of throw-ins should be much higher in the best league in the world.”
There will understandably be a lot of talk around Gronnemark’s influence on Arsenal’s long throws, with the coach previously claiming to have improved Andy Robertson’s throw-in length from 19 metres to 27 metres whilst at Liverpool.
But as he mentioned in his social media post, Gronnemark also coaches the “fast and clever” throw-in, and that’s arguably where Arsenal could benefit more.
The Gunners have started to make a bit of a habit of delaying throw-ins looking for the best possible option.
At times, it can be worth it to slow down and guarantee retaining possession, but on other occasions the team would be better served by getting heads up and quickly finding a player before an opposition marker picks them up.
Arsenal have also picked up a few bookings for wasting time on throw-ins, which could have been easily avoided.
If Gronnemark can encourage the team to take the quick option when appropriate, that could be just as impactful as adding a few metres to Declan Rice’s throwing distance.