WeAreWolves
Long throws are back — and the numbers explain why
There’s a quiet tactical shift happening in the Premier League: the long throw-in is back in fashion. Fresh Opta data shows long throws have nearly doubled this season, up to 3.03 per game — the highest rate in five years.
Michael Kayode's long throws are incredible #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/lcZgBjSvka
— Hive (@BrentfordHive) August 23, 2025
Why teams are going long
In an era of high pressing and Guardiola-style build-up, a flat, fast throw into the box skips the press and creates instant chaos. It isn’t just nostalgia either — last season produced 14 goals from long throws into the area, the most on record, which has convinced more clubs to coach throw-ins as a genuine attacking set piece. We’ve already seen three goals from long throws this season — roughly one every 10 matches.
Throw-in specialist Thomas Grønnemark (who has worked with Brentford and Liverpool) puts it simply: a long throw is just another football action — you can keep it and you can score from it.
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— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) September 15, 2025
Saturday's equaliser was our 7th long throw goal since the start of the 2024/25 season ... no other side has scored more than two@Playmaker_EN look at how we are are leading the way with long throws back in fashion ⤵️@cynergybank
Brentford’s late sting vs Chelsea
We saw it in action last weekend. Brentford repeatedly targeted Chelsea with long throws, pinning them deep and flooding the box for second balls. The pressure paid off late on, with a long throw sparking the scramble that rescued a point. It’s a perfect example of how they can tilt a match in the dying minutes.
What it changes
More long throws mean more big bodies forward, more rehearsed blocks and flick-ons, and more scrappy moments inside the area. It can slow the rhythm, but managers will trade a brief pause for a high-value chance.
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