Two-time Premier League winner Joe Hart has spotted one new tactic Mikel Arteta is trying at Arsenal.
Arteta was given a clean slate as Arsenal kicked off their 2025/26 campaign against Manchester United.
A clean slate was there for the Arsenal manager, but it was old ways that prevailed early into the contest, as the Gunners took the lead from a corner.
Arsenal aren’t ready to give up their set-piece superiority just yet, with it very clear that Nicolas Jover has several new tricks up his sleeve.
- READ MORE: Who is Nicolas Jover? Meet the Arsenal set-piece coach who has transformed Mikel Arteta’s team
Joe Hart notices Arsenal’s long-throw tactic
Arsenal debuted a new corner routine in pre-season, which got their season off to a flying start as Riccardo Calafiori converted at Old Trafford.
It wasn’t only in goal-scoring situations that Jover’s influence was noticed, as Arsenal have clearly been paying attention to how they can maximise their threat from throw-ins.
Ben White was seen taking a run-up to launch the ball into space, with those on the pitch moving with intent to get on the end of the ball.
It was an old-fashioned tactic that Joe Hart noticed during the opening day contest, admitting he ‘hated’ coming up against them during his playing days.
“Long throws are back! I can understand why – as a goalie, I hated them,” Hart told BBC Sport.
If Arsenal weren’t hard enough to defend from set-play, the challenge could be about to become a lot more difficult for the opposition, with throw-ins now back in fashion at Colney.
Change in style suits Viktor Gyokeres
One reason for the tactical change could be to suit new signing, Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal will change how they play for Gyokeres, with one method possibly being maximising the threat from throw-ins.
The 27-year-old’s robust frame allows him to hold the ball up all over the pitch, with it already clear that Arsenal’s forwards could find joy playing close to the striker.
Change was seen at Old Trafford, but it was the familiar details that gave the Gunners the early advantage.
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