The Backwards Gooner: Arsenal Attacking Statistics 2010/2011

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Arsenal Attacking Statistics 2010/2011

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Standout attacking performances:

Andrey Arshavin
1 goal, 2 assists, 1 key pass
Arsenal 6-0 Braga (Champions League)

Andrey Arshavin
1 goal, 1 assist, 1 key pass
Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal (Premier League)

Cesc Fabregas
3 assists, 1 key pass
Arsenal 4-1 Bolton (Premier League)

Cesc Fabregas
2 goals, 2 assists, 1 key pass
Arsenal 6-0 Braga (Champions League)

Cesc Fabregas
1 goal, 2 assists
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

Nicklas Bendtner
3 goals
Arsenal 5-0 Leyton Orient (FA Cup)

Robin van Persie
2 goals; 1 assist
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal (Premier League)

Robin van Persie
3 goals
Arsenal 3-0 Wigan (Premier League)

Samir Nasri
1 goal, 1 assist, 1 key pass
Man City 0-3 Arsenal (Premier League)

Theo Walcott
3 goals
Arsenal 6-0 Blackpool (Premier League)

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grizzly · 760 weeks ago

A couple comments on the Blackburn match:

First of all, from a first-time visitor, fantastic site you have here!

Second, looking at the average positioning of players, its amazing to see Fabregas's average position is ahead of Van Persie when (presumably) every time Arsenal was required to defend, RVP was close to the halfway line while Cesc was likely closer to the box. When Arsenal maintained possession Cesc must have positioned himself significantly in front of RVP to make up that gap.

Lastly, I saw your comments on zonal marking that the 4-3-3 suits Walcott best and quite frankly I agree. It's interesting to hear, however, all this talk from Wenger about how Theo will become a striker. Clearly Arsene sees Theo as one day leading the line in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 or as a striker in a 4-4-2. I'll be satisfied if Walcott keeps up his current pace playing on the right.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 760 weeks ago

Thanks.

The average position graphs only take into account touches on the ball and not general movement, Fabregas was definitely playing behind van Persie. But that just goes to highlight van Persie's role, when the team doesn't have possession, he stays high up the pitch and pressurises the opposition defenders, when the team regains possession, he drops back to pick up the ball while other players make runs ahead of him (e.g. Fabregas).

I'm not sure whether Theo has the necessary passing and creative qualities to play as the centre forward, it's a key component of Arsenal's play. It doesn't mean that it wouldn't work, Barcelona won the treble with Eto'o (a player that Walcott could potentially emulate), but at the moment I think having a creative no.9 suits a few of Arsenal's players, particularly the midfield runners such as Diaby and Fabregas.

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gunercalis 1p · 759 weeks ago

Hearing that, I suppose Wenger is pointing out Walcott's off the ball qualities. He make good runs, not only behind the backline, to the wide areas as well and that's how and why, with Fabregas in the side, will Arsene run the business. He's a forward already, he understands the role he was given and effective, scoring trademark goals. Imagine Cesc looking for passes from deep areas and Walcott sneaking, just like Vela's goal yesterday. When he's in, and in form, RVP's false nine game might be less fruitful with that way. This 4-3-3, though, works amazingly well. Rosicky's deeper role is mostly because of his tension to do so, but also I think one of the wingers drops a little bit when other pushing, I'm not really sure if It's because Walcott's bright start, need to check this some time.

Cheers.

1 reply · active 759 weeks ago

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 759 weeks ago

For me, Fabregas doesn't need to play as high up the pitch when van Persie is available. Van Persie has the ability to play that killer pass in behind the defence, Wenger only really started playing Fabregas in an advanced position last season because of van Persie's injury and the need to replace his creativity in the final 3rd. With van Persie fit, Fabregas can resume his role in the centre and play a more conservative, possesion-based role. Still playing the final pass of course, but focussing more on possession retention.

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Nebbdyrgytten · 751 weeks ago

I love your statistics, especially this one, but it would be wonderful if you added a games played column here too

4 replies · active 751 weeks ago

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 751 weeks ago

I'll add one at the end of the season, I wouldn't be able to keep it updated regularly throughout.

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Nebbdyrgytten · 751 weeks ago

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fgh · 738 weeks ago

how many goals have arsenal socerd

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 738 weeks ago

87 in all competitions

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Rohan · 751 weeks ago

I really enjoy these statistics, they're by far the most complete and interesting I have seen for Arsenal this season - another reason to visit your excellent site regularly (it was the videos that brought me here originally). The stats also make it clear that, for all the flak he's getting from Arsenal fans in the blogsphere at the moment, you would need to think long and hard before dropping Arshavin.

Thank you for your efforts, they are really appreciated.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 751 weeks ago

Thanks, appreciate the comments!

My view on Arshavin is that as frustrating and lazy as he is, his zero-restrictions style makes him more likely to pull off an important goal or pass, and as a largely conservative team we can afford to have one such player among the starting 11. If he continues to play as poorly as he did at the weekend (particularly the 2nd half) then he shouldn't be immune to being dropped though.

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Nebbdyrgytten · 748 weeks ago

Rosicky switching to the left today was most likely more because of his better defensive skills and higher defensive work-rate compared to Arshavin than anything else. On the other hand, Arshavin got to play behind the striker in his so called "preffered" position. Were do you think he is at his best? He obviously brings something to the team when playing behind the striker that no other player in the team does.

It is also interesting to note how many players at arsenal that prefers to play in an attacking central role. Rosicky, Nasri, Fabregas, Diaby, Wilshere and Arshavin do all probably maybe want to play in that one position.

A third point is the one about Nasri and Rosicky, two players that look very much alike to people who doesn't care much. Both started their arsenal careers on the left, wants to play centrally, but both of them plays on both flanks and in the centre. Wenger seems to have really settled on playing Nasri at the right flank. I have kind of noticed that Nasri usually wants the ball alot when playing centrally, but hits to much passes sideways and doesn't penetrate the same way Rosicky and indeed Fabregas does when playing there. Wenger might think that Nasri can play rightish and drift around, and produce with his good dribling, runs and finishing.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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BackwardsGooner 61p · 747 weeks ago

I'm not sure what his best position is. On the right he's useful defensively and links well with the fullback, but his goalscoring game is poor and he doesn't make those dangerous runs inside that we're used to from Walcott. In the centre his speed of mind and touch is useful against lesser opposition who cannot cope with his quick play. Against stronger opposition I would rather have the intelligent probing of Fabregas. Right now I think Wenger is using him wisely as an impact player and an occasional starter in games against "weaker" teams.

I totally agree about Nasri lacking penetration, for me he takes one or two extra touches on the ball which make a big difference. He's not quite Denilson slow, but certainly not as direct as Rosicky and Fabregas in his passing. He definitely has the vision and the passing technique, it's just a question of being quick-minded. Fabregas often knows what pass he's going to play before receiving the ball because he's always looking around the pitch assessing his options before-hand.

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Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Arsenal Attacking Statistics 2010/2011

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