Ex-Liverpool coach breaks silence on Arsenal move after Mikel Arteta appointment

Thomas Gronnemark, the throw-in specialist who helped Liverpool win the 2019/20 Premier League title, has confirmed he is working with Arsenal as Mikel Arteta's side look to maintain their lead at the top of the table

Mikel Arteta has boosted his Arsenal coaching team with the addition of a throw-in specialist.(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Throw-in specialist Thomas Gronnemark has confirmed he's been enlisted by Arsenal as Mikel Arteta seeks to strengthen his side's title challenge. Reports emerged last week suggesting the Gunners had recruited Gronnemark to maximise their effectiveness from throw-ins.

The throw-in coach has previously collaborated with numerous clubs, including Brentford, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Liverpool. His appointment comes amid growing attention on the impact and resurgence of long throws in the Premier League.

The 50 year old took to social media to confirm his collaboration with Arsenal. "It's out. Yes, I coach Arsenal," he posted on X (formerly Twitter). "Both in the "Long, Fast and Clever throw-in. No more comments at the moment."

He accompanied the post with a photograph taken outside Arsenal's Sobha Reality Training Centre.Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces under Arteta has become increasingly prominent in recent seasons.

Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has earned considerable praise for his contributions to the squad and continues to be an integral part of Arteta's backroom staff.Arsenal have scored a league-high 14 goals from set-pieces so far this season.

It's a figure they will be eager to substantially improve upon before the campaign concludes. Gronnemark will now aim to deliver a similar influence to Jover as Arsenal pursue every advantage available in preserving, and potentially extending their advantage at the top of the Premier League table.

Thomas Gronnemark has worked with several different clubs and has now joined Arsenal.(Image: Anadolu, Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Arteta's team currently sit six points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City. After Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg encounter with Chelsea, Arsenal are back in league action on Saturday, travelling to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.

This match follows Manchester City's early kick-off against their local rivals Manchester United.

Gronnemark has previously left his mark at a club vying for Premier League success. In 2018, he joined Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and played a part in the Reds' triumphant 2019/20 season.Reflecting on how he landed the role at Liverpool, he said: "I was totally in shock when Jurgen called me.

"I was visiting a chocolate shop with my family; I saw the +44 and thought it was an English guy trying to sell me pen.

"I listened to the voicemail and it was a message from Jurgen. I tried to call him back, but he didn't pick up.

"My heart was just pounding... I took the call on my way home in the car, where I drove directly into a grass field when he called. ""He told me that he was sitting in a beach chair, reading the German newspaper Bild while on holiday in Tenerife, and he came across an article about me... he had never heard of a throw-in coach before."