Arsenal Enlists Throw-In Expert Gronnemark to Improve Set-Piece Efficiency

Arsenal has brought Thomas Gronnemark into their ranks in a bid to overcome a Premier League trophy drought that dates back to 2004. The Gunners are currently recognized as one of England’s most formidable teams during set-pieces, having netted 12 goals from dead-ball situations. With a six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, manager Mikel Arteta is clearly intent on maximizing every possible advantage, and Gronnemark is considered one of the leading authorities on throw-ins.

Gronnemark previously spent five years as part of Jürgen Klopp’s backroom staff at Liverpool, joining the club in 2018, the same season that saw the Reds claim the Champions League title. A former athlete in Denmark, he once held the world record for the longest throw-in. Although primarily known for his work with throw-ins, Gronnemark also has a background in bobsleigh, representing Denmark for four years. His experience at Liverpool marked his first role in English football, where he became known for his ability to teach teams how to maintain possession and effectively build attacks from throw-in scenarios.

Arteta has shared insights into his realization of the critical role set-pieces play in a team’s success, stating, “Ten years ago, I wasn’t here, but I said, ‘it is a massive thing to do that.’ I started to develop a vision, implement a method, and surround myself with the best people to achieve that.”

Gronnemark elaborated on the significance of throw-ins, explaining how he caught Klopp’s attention during his time at Anfield. In a 2024 interview, he recounted, “He (Klopp) called me and mentioned that Liverpool had a great season, but they were struggling with throw-ins. He had read about my work in the German newspaper Bild, which prompted him to reach out.”

He continued, “When I arrived, data indicated that Liverpool ranked 18th in the Premier League for throw-ins under pressure. In my first season, we improved from 45.4% to 68.4%, moving from 18th to first place. People may underestimate throw-ins, but there are approximately 40-60 of them in a match, consuming around 20 minutes of play. It is a substantial aspect of football that has been overlooked for many years.”

Gronnemark expressed his surprise upon receiving Klopp’s call, recalling, “I was visiting a chocolate shop with my family when I saw the +44 and thought it was an Englishman trying to sell me pens. After listening to the voicemail, I immediately tried to call him back, but he didn’t answer. My heart was racing when I finally took the call. He mentioned he was relaxing in a beach chair in Tenerife, reading Bild, when he stumbled upon an article about me—he had never heard of a throw-in coach before.”

Arsenal’s next challenge will be against Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round, followed by a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, and a Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.