Arteta Signs Throw-In Specialist Thomas Grønnemark To Boost Arsenal’s Title Push

‎Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, says the club wants to “improve every single area” after appointing renowned throw-in coach Thomas Grønnemark.

‎The Dane, who previously spent five years at Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp and has also worked with Brentford, confirmed on Tuesday that he has begun working with Arsenal. Grønnemark posted on social media with a photo from Arsenal’s training ground, “It’s out.”

‎“Yes, I coach Arsenal. Both in the Long, Fast and Clever throw-in. No more comments at the moment.”

‎Arsenal lead all clubs in Europe’s top-five leagues for set-piece goals, with Ben White’s strike against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg marking their 24th of the season.

‎The Premier League has also seen a rise in goals from long throw-ins, producing 18 already compared with 20 across the whole of last season.

‎Despite that trend, Arsenal remain one of the few sides yet to score from a long throw. Arteta disclosed in December that Declan Rice has been training to add that weapon to his game.

‎Arteta refused to elaborate on the decision to hire Grønnemark, only going as far as saying he believes he could make the difference as Arsenal seek to be crowned champions for the first time since 2004.

‎“We try to improve every single area,” said Arteta.

‎“Every single margin that we possibly can to be a better team and anybody can help us. We have many experts, many people around trying to help us to become as good as we can.”

‎Opta statistics released this week reveal that long throw-ins (defined as throws covering 20 metres or more) per match have surged from 1.52 last season to 3.97. That figure is more than double any of the previous 10 campaigns, with Brentford’s Michael Kayode the most prolific, delivering exactly 100 long throws.

‎Meanwhile, Arteta dismissed reports of a bust-up between Rice and his assistant, Albert Stuivenberg, at half-time of the 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge in midweek, insisting that any issues between them are now “all sorted”

‎Arsenal’s lead could be cut to three points by Manchester City if they can overcome Manchester United in the lunchtime derby at Old Trafford, with their trip to Nottingham Forest kicking off at tea time. Arteta is optimistic that his side can pick up where they left off against Chelsea.

‎“I think we are building very good momentum and belief comes from performances and the level of consistency that we have shown throughout 32 games already this season and what we did at Stamford Bridge,” he said.

‎“It should help us to be very convinced that we can do that, but the reality is that you have to show it in every game and there’s still so much to happen, but we are glad that we are still alive in the four competitions.”