Time to answer the questions if Arsenal really are in the hunt for the Top 4 by Tom
The Premier league is back! And it left at the right time too. After beating Fulham 1-5, that goal (number 3) and the fans singing ‘We have our Arsenal back…’ I was starting to get concerned that pundits had nothing better to talk about and would start on AFC. Bellamy and Wright did their best to say a few words, but before the media could get too excited… along came the internationals.
I last wrote a report on Arsenal’s first 4 games and reviewed what the stats showed us, and what the vibes told us. This time, I have my review for the last 4 games.
I previously said we needed to shore up our defence and give off at least 3 SOT A (shots on target against) per game to start seeing better reward. And although it is tempting to compare the stats of our first 4 games vs our last 4 games – our team has been rotating.
So, one thing we do know is our team is still not set, but points in the bag is a rewarding development.
So, the Stats;
|
Opponent |
For |
Against |
Possession |
SOT F |
SOT A |
|
Newcastle |
2 |
1 |
64% |
2 |
2 |
|
Everton |
2 |
0 |
63% |
5 |
6 |
|
Watford |
2 |
0 |
63% |
6 |
6 |
|
Fulham |
5 |
1 |
51% |
7 |
4 |
What we see is that we have an average of 60.25% Possession, 20 SOT F and 18 SOT A.
Or in other words, within 159 minutes over 4 games of our opponents having the ball, we are giving them a chance every 8 minutes. Whilst every 12 minutes we are creating a chance (of our 241 minutes of possession). And, scoring every 21.90 minutes on average.
I believe the prefect team goal over this period was Lacazette’s goal against Everton. Not because it was an excellent finish, but because of the position of every player when the goal went in. Firstly, Laca and Auba had switched positions (laca RW and Auba CF – yes it can work), Monreal after helping in the build up continued his run and became a false RF – allowing Lacazette the space (as Monreal was being marked) to shoot. Xhaka had filled into Monreal’s position while in the same line you had Torriera and Bellerin across the pitch. This offered us a line of 3 to protect our 2 CBs if a save was made and Pickford made a quick release. Unai would have been happy to see this and to see the ideas are slowly starting to seep into the minds of the players. But on some occasions this is not the case and therein lies our problem.
Things seem positive for AFC. Nelson has been scoring (3 goals in a week), ESR scored in Europe for us and Iwobi looks to be getting better with each game while Auba and Laca are scoring (along with Ozil and Ramsay getting a few). Leno and Holding have come in over the last 4 games and that’s been rewarded with good performances.
Its hard to see what more Arsenal need to do but improvements are still visible to see. Our next 4 games in the league will be Leicester, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Wolves (with CP being our only away game). My thoughts are that AFC start again. Fight for every ball and dig in for a win against Leicester, take on CP and get the flow back before lining up against Liverpool. Liverpool will be on the minds of the players, but it’s importance is based on the 2 games before then. Win them both and we have little pressure to beat Liverpool. Any other results and the league takes no pity on you.
All of this is hypothetical, but one thing is for sure, Arsenal still need to lower the chances they are giving away. This means the recovery play needs to be better. The combination between Torriera and Xhaka needs to develop still. When Monreal or Bellerin go forward needs to be managed better. When Mustafi goes to win the ball, or Holding, still needs to be clearer…
I am hoping for 3 more point’s, but Monday feels like a long way away for me, but it might just be what Arsenal need!
So, here we are. How is everyone feeling about Leicester on Monday night?
Tom