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Premier League leader Arsenal was frustrated in the first half of Saturday's game against Sunderland, as the newly-promoted side unveiled a clever plan to limit long throws into the penalty box.
Arsenal entered Saturday six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and had won 10-straight games in all competitions. The only game Arsenal has lost all season was at Anfield, when Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free kick to hand Liverpool a narrow 1-0 victory.
Despite an abundance of offensive talent, Arsenal has scored the majority of its goals this season via set pieces, a key part of Mikel Arteta's philosiphy. However, Sunderland made alterations to the Stadium of Light to hinder Arsenal's efficiency from the dreaded long throw.
Sunderland is flying in the Premier League this season, earning 18 points from 10 games and remaining undefeated at home. Arsenal has been difficult to beat both at home and on the road, but Sunderland was eager to cause an upset.
Arsenal ranks 17th in the Premier League for goals from open play, scoring just 20. In contrast, 68 percent of Arsenal's goals have come from set pieces, as Arteta has utlizied corners, free kicks, and long throws.
In an attempt to weaken Arsenal's threat, Sunderland moved forward the advertising boards to leave less room on the sidelines at the Stadium of Light. As a result, Arsenal players had a two-step run-up when taking long throws, making it more difficult to put added distance on throws.
While it's a genius example of innovation, it's not the first time that Sunderland has done this. During the Championship playoffs last season, Sunderland also moved the advertising boards when facing Coventry City.
Coventry defender Milan van Ewijks became known for his long throws in the Championship last season. Coventry had scored more headed goals and goals from long throws and crosses than any other team across the EFL.
The innovation worked as Sunderland progressed to the Championship playoff final, and beat Sheffield United to gain promotion to the Premier League. Sunderland has continued its momentum in the top division, and made a bright start against Arsenal.
The roof was lifted at the Stadium of Light as defender Dan Ballard fired Sunderland ahead against Arsenal in the first half. It was Ballard's second Premier League goal of the season, after scoring in a 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening day of the campaign. Bukayo Saka tied the game early in the second half.
While the stadium adjustments frustrated Arsenal, it also showed how dangerous the Premier League leaders are from set pieces. It was a compliment to Arteta, who recently claimed that he visioned a set-piece driven style of play 10 years ago.
"Ten years ago. I wasn't here but 10 years ago, I said 'it is a massive thing to do that' and I started to have a vision, try to implement a method and try to be surrounded by the best people to deliver that," Arteta said last month.
Arteta joined Manchester City as a coach under Pep Guardiola before becoming Arsenal head coach, and learned valuable lessons under the serial winner. However, his style differs from Guardiola's, and he has found success in his alternate approach.
While at City, Arteta met coach Nicolas Jover, who later became a set-piece coach at Brentford. Jover then joined Arteta at Arsenal, and they began working on set-pieces in excessive detail.
Arteta allowed Jover to take responsibility of set-piece routines, and Arsenal has been dominant from dead-ball situations ever since. Arsenal has scored more set-piece goals than any other team in Europe's top five leagues since Jover joined the staff in 2021.
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