Tactical angle: A trend both new and old in the Premier League

09/10/2025 16:40:00 GameGladiator

After the initial 7 matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season, specialists have observed something fascinating: English football is "going backwards in time."

In the age of high pressing, possession dominance, and complex positional tactics like those of Pep Guardiola, a trend once believed extinct is now making a powerful resurgence: long balls, aerial play, long throw-ins, and set-piece situations.

A new generation of offensive weapons

According to WhoScored data, up to now, 45 out of 182 goals have come from set pieces, making up 26% of all goals — a clear increase from 18% last season and 19% in 2023/24. Specifically, goals from corners have risen to 0.49 per game, significantly above last season’s average of 0.36.

Previously, English teams were mocked for "only knowing how to cross and head," but now that very tactic has become a strategic asset. Long throw-ins, once seen as minor details, have evolved into a new tactical facet. Last season, the entire league had only 8–9 goals from throw-ins; this season, that figure has doubled, and if the current trend continues, it could surpass 30 goals from throw-ins, a Premier League era record.

The cause of this shift isn’t merely sentimental. Part of it comes from a packed fixture list that limits coaches’ time to develop intricate ball control strategies. Aerial balls and set pieces, being simpler, offer immediate effectiveness. Additionally, it’s a natural reaction to the "tactical saturation" of Guardiola-style positional football, which appears to have reached its ceiling.

With possession percentages hitting a "cap" of 60%, many coaches have realized: rather than trying to control every pass, why not simplify by sending the ball straight into the box? They are literally "lifting the ball into the air," with results exceeding expectations.

Even the Premier League’s biggest clubs now prefer long balls

When the giants also turn back time

If only smaller teams like Luton or Bournemouth played long balls, it might go unnoticed. But with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, and even Man City increasing their direct play frequency, it’s clear this is no random fad, but a genuine tactical shift.

Coach Thomas Frank was a pioneer during his time at Brentford. His team mastered turning any open play into set-piece opportunities by lofting long balls forward and forcing opponents to foul, clear, or throw the ball out in dangerous areas.

According to Opta data, the average number of long passes per round in the Premier League this season has risen to 997, compared to 969 last season. The big clubs (Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool) alone average 226 long balls per game, up 11% year-on-year.

Arsenal and Chelsea, two teams known for their possession philosophy, are the "golden exceptions" among ball-dominant sides. Arsenal has scored 7 goals from set pieces, Chelsea 5, meaning just these two clubs have pushed the league’s set-piece goal ratio up by nearly 6%. This shows even the most technically gifted teams must adapt: in modern football, controlling the ball no longer guarantees controlling the game.

A prime example is Liverpool under Arne Slot. After inheriting Klopp’s system, Slot didn’t try to maintain the "crazy" gegenpressing style but combined high pressing with ultra-fast transitions. Many of their goals come from precise long clearances by the goalkeeper or center-backs, rather than building attacks through numerous short passes.

At Man City, Erling Haaland remains the "goal machine," but his scoring methods have evolved. Many of his goals now come from rapid transitions, direct balls, or lightning-fast counterattacks, instead of the 20-pass combinations typical of Pep’s tiki-taka peak.

Football, like all fashion cycles, is always revolving. As modern philosophies near their limits, coaches realize the difference lies not in tactical complexity but in effectiveness and adaptability. A long throw-in can be just as dangerous as a clever through ball.

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