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Manchester City signed two big goalkeepers in the summer and the second could prove to be one of the best signings of the Pep Guardiola era.
Welcome to the season of the long throw. An examination under the high ball at the Emirates might be nothing new, but in the first month of the Premier League, it has become clear that a throwback tactic is now in vogue.
Almost every team now sees value in launching the ball into the box from throw-ins and stepping up their set-piece preparations. Goalkeepers know what is coming, and it isn't very enjoyable.
Thomas Tuchel declared the "long throw is back" during the September international break, and Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show has already dedicated a segment to the increasing prevalence of throw-ins being sent straight into a crowded penalty area.
Stats show the number of long throws a game has risen from just under two last season to just over three this season, and that teams are looking more threatening from them. Crystal Palace and Brentford have already scored goals from long throws.
Manchester City can expect to face plenty of balls hurled into their box this season. When Burnley visit the Etihad on Saturday, they will see long throws and set pieces as their most likely route to causing the hosts some problems.
But then, arguably, no club has a better weapon to guard against this threat than Pep Guardiola's side. The £26million signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma borders on a cheat code for protection against the Premier League's newest 'old' tactic.
What you want when your penalty area is being put under pressure is a commanding goalkeeper, and Donnarumma is the epitome of that. Questions may be asked about his positioning for Arsenal's equaliser on Sunday, although it was an excellent goal, but there can be no queries about the way he stood firm against a set-piece barrage. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta certainly felt he made a difference.
“He’s so dominant in the box and every ball that is in and around the six-yard box, his timing, the way he executes the action, it is super efficient," Arteta said.
Donnarumma was not only commanding but he was decisive as well. He made quick decisions over whether to come and stuck to them, spreading a calmness to his defence as they tried to hold back the Arsenal tide.
That approach may well force teams to think twice when it comes to facing City. Long throws are most effective when they are sent into a crowded six-yard box, but Donnarumma has the size and presence to dominate in there, as Arteta referenced.
It will be interesting to see what Burnley do this weekend, but even more interesting to see what Brentford do in two weeks. They are the masters of the long throw in the Premier League.
They will try to put City under pressure, but Donnarumma could snuff that out in an instant. Questions were asked when City signed a goalkeeper who didn't seem to fit with Guardiola's ideology, but then he might just be the perfect goalkeeper for the modern Premier League.
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