Does Laurent Koscielny’s return make Arsenal defenders better fantasy football picks?
Stat Attack | by Russell Cane
Arsenal concede fewer goals, keep more clean sheets, win more, lose less and register more points when Laurent Koscielny plays, our stats at Oulala.com can reveal.
Ok, it’s hardly a surprise that Arsenal are better with Laurent Koscielny in the side. However if you picked any Arsenal defenders in your fantasy football team this season, you’d have been left disappointed. In their opening two games, they’ve already conceded four goals and failed to keep a clean sheet.
But before you dump Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac from your side – hold fire!
Laurent Koscielny returns to action this weekend after his three-match ban, with our stats at Oulala.com showing Arsenal are expected to improve significantly with him back in the side.
We’ve taken a look at how Arsenal have performed in the Premier League, dating back to the 2014/15 season, with and without Koscielny and the stats are conclusive, they are far better when he plays.
How do Arsenal fare with and without Laurent Koscielny?
Since the start of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign, Koscielny has made 93 appearances, while being absent in 23 matches.
Our analysis shows that Arsenal concede an average of 0.97 goals per game with the Frenchman in the side, compared to 1.3 without him.
The Gunners also keep more clean sheets when the defender features. Up from 35 per cent without him to 39 per cent with him.
Our data also shows that Arsenal win more (60%) and lose less (18%) when Koscielny plays. In contrast, their win rate drops to 43 per cent, while their loss rate rises to 30 per cent without him.
Overall, it’s no surprise to see that with Koscielny, Arsenal average more points per game (2) than without him (1.5).
When should I expect a fantasy football return from my Arsenal defenders?
Arsenal face Liverpool this weekend and it’s worth noting that they have conceded 10 goals in their last three games against the Reds. So while we advise that you shouldn’t be ditching Arsenal defenders now Laurent Koscielny’s back, it’s probably not the best game to bring them in for either.
However, after the international break; the Gunners face Bournemouth, West Brom and Brighton at home and Watford away in their following five games. You should then see a steady stream of points from the Arsenal defenders you held onto, or if you’re looking for alternatives at the back, it’s the perfect time to start drafting them into your side.
Our stats suggest Arsenal defenders will start to become stronger fantasy football picks after the international break, but are you convinced? Will any make it into your fantasy football team?