Arsenal set for another long-throw blitz in Carabao Cup clash at free-scoring West Brom amid horror start to season
ARSENAL could be under fire from another throw-in blitz as they look for their first win of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side go to West Brom in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday – and even the supporters are joining in at The Hawthorns.
Arsenal have already been undone at Brentford on the opening day of the Premier League when they allowed a long throw from Mads Bech Sorensen to bounce in the six-yard box and Christian Norgaard headed home.
Now they may have to endure Albion’s throw-in king Darnell Furlong – whose throws have brought Baggies a string of goals so far this term.
Valerien Ismael’s side are the Championship’s top scorers but the supporters more than play their part at the Baggies.
A fan was even looking after a towel for Furlong in the win over Sheffield United last week – so that the Albion full-back could wipe the ball dry before launching it.
And Furlong, 25, included the supporter in the celebrations during the 4-0 rout over the Blades.
Furlong – son of former Chelsea, QPR and Birmingham striker Paul – said: “We’ve got a new style and a new identity – the fans are loving it.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
“I’ve always had a long throw in me but different managers have different styles.
“It’s a nice thing to have and it’s causing problems at the moment.
“A fan was looking after the towel for me, so I just went over after the goal and thanked him.
“It took a while for us to grasp this style of football under the new manager.”
Blackburn took exception to Furlong’s tactics during their 2-1 loss to West Brom on Saturday.
They tried to remove the strategically placed towels but were prevented by the match officials.
Rovers manager Tony Mowbray said: “I fully understand it at The Hawthorns, they can do what they want there.
“But at our stadium, I’m not sure they should be allowed to put towels all the way around the ground.
“If we want to remove them, we should be able to do that. But apparently the fourth official said that’s not the case.
“We’ll try to get clarification from the EFL on that moving forward.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
⚽ Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals