Liverpool’s former throw-in coach takes expertise to Arsenal

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Thomas Gronnemark, Liverpool’s former specialist throw-in coach, has joined Arsenal on a consultancy basis as Mikel Arteta looks for marginal gains in the Premier League title race.[4] The Dane, who worked under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield from 2018 to 2023, was widely credited with transforming Liverpool’s approach to throw-ins, turning a traditionally overlooked aspect of the game into a structured attacking weapon.[2][4]

At Liverpool, Gronnemark helped develop what he calls “fast and clever” throw-ins, using restarts to retain possession, accelerate transitions and create chances, rather than simply launching the ball long.[2][4] Klopp publicly praised his impact, saying the coach had “changed” Liverpool’s throw-ins and improved the team “completely” in that phase of play.[5] His work contributed to Liverpool becoming one of Europe’s most efficient sides at keeping the ball from throw-ins and using them to initiate attacks.[4]

Since leaving Anfield, Gronnemark has consulted for several clubs, most notably Brentford, where his methods helped turn the Bees into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous teams from long throws, with multiple goals scored directly from these situations.[2] Arsenal, by contrast, have struggled to generate a threat from throw-ins and have not scored from a long throw in the recent period, underlining an area of potential improvement.[2]

Arteta has already invested heavily in specialist coaching, recruiting set-piece experts with Brentford links and refining details across Arsenal’s tactical setup.[2][4] Bringing in Gronnemark fits that pattern: his role is to sharpen both long-throw routines and shorter, possession-based restarts, giving Arsenal new ways to break defensive blocks and sustain pressure.[2][4]

The move also adds a twist to the rivalry with Liverpool. A coach who helped shape Klopp’s title-winning side will now attempt to give Arsenal the extra edge needed to overcome the Anfield club in the current title race, using the same tiny but telling details that once benefited Liverpool.[4][5]