Jamie Redknapp is growing frustrated with Premier League clubs adopting a new style of kick-off after watching it put into practice in Arsenal’s incredible 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United.
The Gunners secured all three points in a dramatic turnaround courtesy of goals from second-half substitute Mikel Merino (84′) and Gabriel Magalhaes (90+6′). Nick Woltemade had given the Magpies the lead (34′) with a magnificent header but Eddie Howe’s men eventually suffered defeat at St James’ Park.
It was after Woltemade’s goal that an incident occurred between the German striker and Gabriel, which Redknapp analysed on Sky Sports. The Liverpool legend criticised the Brazilian defender for “leaving one on” Alexander Isak’s replacement but placed blame on the North Londoners’ kick-off routine.
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal: Redknapp Hits Out At ‘Ridiculous’ New Kick Off
Woltemade was seen running towards the visitors’ defence after they had used the subsequent kick off to send the ball back to Spanish goalkeeper David Raya. The former Stuttgart frontman received an elbow from Gabriel as he looked to turn away from the centre-back, but opted to stay on his feet.
VAR chose not to review the incident that Australian referee Jarred Gillett missed, and the 23-year-old questioned the lack of action taken after the game. The altercation was put to Redknapp during his post-match analysis, and while he agreed the Brazilian was guilty, he went on a tirade about how the duo got there: “He’s leaving a bit on him. You can’t do that. But this is a consequence of this silly kick-off that everybody does now. It does my head in!”
Redknapp added: “They pass it back to the goalkeeper, it’s like American football. He has to run past three players. Look, they’re all smashing him. Why don’t they just pass it back and start playing? One team does it, now they all do it, it’s ridiculous.”
Many have voiced their concerns with the new style of kick off including that which sees teams boot the ball out of play. Arsenal were at it in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool last month but Newcastle are statistically the most prolific team using such tactic.
The former Premier League midfielder concluded: “I see it at grassroots, I see it playing now, that should be a foul. Not only that it could be a sending off, it’s ridiculous. But everybody’s copying each other, and they’re all doing the same things, which just causes a massive melee every time. I don’t get it.”
Teams use this strategy to try and get in the ascendancy and capitalise on the rule change that occurred back in 2016. The International Football Association Board announced that the ball could move in any direction from kick-off.
Initially, two players would stand in the centre circle and one would play the ball to the other to restart play, but the new rule sees one player play the ball outside the circle. Teams look to use this to their advantage by playing a long ball over the top, which, as Redknapp highlighted, can result in collisions reminiscent of those in the NFL.
“It Depends” – Arteta on Using Long Kick Offs
Arteta perhaps has the most famous set-piece coach in world football by his side in Nicolas Jover who is constantly spotted giving orders during set-piece situations. His side have had much success through corners and free-kicks thanks to Declan Rice and Noni Madueke’s precise crosses.
Arsenal have now fully taken on the modern kick off that was first used by Ligue 1 side Lyon before Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain popularised it. Teams around Europe have adopted the routine including the Gunners and Newcastle.
Arteta gave his thoughts ahead of the game at St James’ Park (via the club website): “I like more the one where you put the ball in the back of the net straight away instead of kicking it for a throw-in! There are a few patterns and a few ways that teams have done it over the past but there are some tendencies as well in relation to the game that we expect.
He added: “You expect certain things that you can do to try to avoid certain pressure in the first minutes. It’s all down to preparation, I think.”
Arteta explained why flexibility is needed: “It depends. First half, second half. If you concede and it’s two minutes to go, it depends. I think the context of the match and the results make you decide what’s the best thing to do now.”
Arsenal’s set-piece mastery came to fruition for Gabriel’s last-gasp winner at St James’ as they moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool. It was a much-needed win and Arteta will be once again thanking Jover for his work on the training pitch.