'Sneaky' Arsenal are scoring late goals because of fitness approach, says Arsene Wenger's performance chief

Arsenal's talent as a team of sprinters is helping them develop a reputation for late goals, according to the club's head of performance.

With 56 goals is 27 Premier League games this season, the Gunners have only been outscored by Liverpool and table-toppers Chelsea in the top flight - having played fewer games than either of their rivals.

The Gunners have also developed a reputation for late drama this term, with goals after the 85th minute helping to secure points against Burnley (twice), Bournemouth, West Brom and Southampton in the battle for a top-four finish.

Speaking about Arsenal's propensity for scoring late goals this season, performance chief Shad Forsythe told the club's official website: "We do.

"The one thing that is sneaky about Arsenal is we are one of the best sprinting teams in the league, and I do put that do to also being very strong.

"We emphasise it in training with repeated sprints, and nine out of 10 goals are scored at the end of a sprint.

"So if we're sprinting the most at the top of the league, we should be scoring more goals, and I think we are."

Forsythe worked with the Germany national team for 10 years, and was poached by Wenger following their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.

Asked about improvements he has seen in the current squad since his arrival, Forsythe said: "Of course there's a natural progression.

"It's not so much anything that we've done, but you see Hector Bellerin, Alex Iwobi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain... Ox this season is really playing a lot more so he's really getting into his own.

"He's always had the car but now we're putting him in positions to use it."

Theo Walcott has bulked up with more muscle after a gruelling pre-season to get over the disappointment of missing out on England's Euro 2016 squad.

Forsythe has been impressed with the forward's development, saying: "Theo made that decision on his own in the pre-season, he really went at it to be physically better.

"He challenges himself week-in, week-out. I think he does probably some of the most work at the club."

While Forsythe says a key aspect of his job is to know "when to push and when to pull players" regarding rest - a bone of contention among Arsenal fans given Alexis Sanchez's desire to play through the pain this season - the performance chief says there is noi doubt about who has the final say.

Asked about his responsibilities, Forsythe added: "As head of performance, you said 'the man responsible', let's just put it right.

"Arsene Wenger is the boss, and we have a team that supports him."