The vast majority of teams in the Premier League are going short from their goal-kicks most of the time, with 11 of the 20 teams playing at least 50% of them inside their own area, and 17 of the 20 playing most of them in their own half.
Premier League leaders Liverpool play 85% of their goal-kicks into their half, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City having a similar figure of 83%.
But there are perhaps some surprising takes from the figures.
As the above graphic shows, Arsenal – for years seen as playing a progressive, attractive style of football – are just as happy to go long with their goal-kicks as they are short, with roughly half of them ending in the opposition half.
In contrast, the Gunners’ fierce rivals Tottenham have, somewhat incredibly, gone long with just four of their 145 goal-kicks so far this season.
Brighton notably went from goalkeeper to goal in less than 30 seconds to spark their 3-2 comeback win against Tottenham in October.
The Seagulls play 75% of their goal-kicks inside their own half and have had some great success with that tactic this campaign.
Meanwhile, surprise packages Nottingham Forest – sitting third in the Premier League – are also bucking the trend with their goal-kicks, with 60% of them being sent into the opposition half.
It is a tactic that, while at odds with the rest of the Premier League, is working for them with resurgent 33-year-old striker Chris Wood providing them with an effective outlet for the long ball.
Read more from Gary about how the role of the goalkeeper has changed