Why Arsenal and Man City are bringing back long-ball football

"For a long time, hoofing the ball upfield was something associated with teams lower down the leagues. But recent incomings in the form of Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal, as well as the Manchester City duo of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Erling Haaland, suggest a more direct approach from both teams. Along with launching goal-kicks, there has been a deliberate effort from both teams to get up the field quickly - through ground passing or dribbling."

"Pep Guardiola's style, although ever-changing, seems to influence how many teams play. The Spaniard has adapted to the leagues he has managed in, but his career began with a focus on short passing and heavy goalkeeper involvement. This was to reduce the chances of his team losing the ball and to reduce the spaces his players would have to cover to regain the ball if it was lost. This makes sense and most teams at the highest level aimed to replicate it."

"As a result, the percentage of keepers playing long passes has gradually been on the decline since the 2018-19 campaign - until this season. Because of high pressing, and the co-ordinated way teams press has become both more common and more effective. The increased focus on planning a team's press - alongside signing more physical players to carry this out - has resulted in a league that looks very different today than it did a decade ago."

Arsenal and Manchester City have shifted toward a more direct approach, using long goal-kicks, rapid ground passes, and dribbling to move upfield quickly. New signings at both clubs encourage quicker transitions and more vertical play. Pep Guardiola's evolving style influenced wider tactical trends, originating from short passing and heavy goalkeeper involvement to minimize turnovers and reduce recovery distances. The prevalence of high pressing changed league dynamics, making organized pressing more effective and prompting teams to plan presses and recruit more physical players. These developments reversed a multi-year decline in goalkeeper long passes this season as teams adapt strategies.

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