Stat attack: AFCB v Arsenal

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here’s the xG timeline. It wasn’t as bad as I feared in terms of Arsenal’s value (1.78), they had 1.49 away at Palace and 3.15 at home to Leicester, but we created little (0.28) compared to Palace’s 1.22 and Leicester’s 0.71. The fixtures have been tough, but we haven’t got beyond 0.60 in any game yet.

The first came in the 5th minute when following sublime skill from Jesus, Travers saved well from Martinelli (rated 1 in 5) but the ball dropped to Odegaard for a simple chance (56%). On 11 mins, it was 2-0, White just being onside to cross to Jesus, whose first touch was heavy enough for Odegaard to come in, use Senesi and Mepham as shields and bend it beyond an unsighted Travers (1 in 9). In the rest of the first half, it was one-way traffic with chances rated around 1 in 10 for Gabriel and Jesus twice, whilst we mustered no attempt. Changing to a back four rather than a five did see an improvement in the second half, although Arsenal effectively killed the game in the 51st minute when Saliba hit a fine shot into Travers’ top left corner (1 in 16) although Lerma would have been disappointed with his missed headed clearance. Martinelli had a chance (1 in 10) and in injury time Nketiah had a good chance saved well by Travers (1 in 5). We were living off scraps at best, with no attempt rated better than 1 in 16, but did at least get forward more in the second half. The xG has been unkind to Travers who has played well in the last two goals and was expected to concede about 3 and a half and has let in 7.

The average position map shows we weren’t too advanced. Senesi and Pearson were withdrawn at half time for Cook and Anthony who were both more advanced than those substituted. It is noticeable how close Pearson and Billing were playing next to each other, with Pearson having switched sides in the City and Arsenal game compared to Villa. Christie came on for Billing and again played more advanced. Tavernier played almost as high as Moore.

Mepham and Kelly completed the most passes. The completion rates from Billing, Moore, Pearson and Zemura were all below 70% indicating that we were not gelling particularly in central midfield. When he came on Cook had a completion rate of over 90% and 100% for those in the opponent’s half. Tavernier had most passes in the opposition’s half.

The aerial duals were largely contested by Mepham and Moore, neither having a particularly good success rate (33% for Mepham and 60% for Moore) .

Five players had four tackles: Billing, Cook, Senesi, Smith and Zemura, although both Cook and Senesi only played 45 minutes. Cook won all of his, whilst Billing only won one.

As with the Man City game we didn’t make many interceptions. Anthony made an impressive number of recoveries in his 45 minutes, Mepham made most clearances, and Billing most blocks.

Your say…

Cherry Warrior wrote…

So cook had a 100% completion rate for passes in the opposition half and won all his tackles….says it all. Has to start! – Join the conversation, click here.