By Tony Attwood
In answering that question in the headline, we might start with the obvious observation that Arsenal have lost just three league games this season, each by a single goal. Also helpfully, when they couldn’t win, Arsenal have drawn games – seven times in the league this season – where obviously one more goal would have meant two more points. So the club could still get better!
As it stands, of course, Arsenal are the top goal-scoring team in the league, although only by one goal from ManC, who have a game in hand. But thereafter, Arsenal are clearly ahead on most metrics. ManU, are five goals behind Arsenal, Chelsea eight behind and Liverpool 11 behind – all having played the same number of games.
But of course, it is in defence that Arsenal have it all. 22 goals have been scored against Arsenal, while ManC have conceded 28 goals and have that one game in hand where they might let in one or two more. The next two best defences are Everton and Palace, each having conceded 13 goals more than Arsenal. ManU have let in 21 more!.
As a result, the goal difference table is extraordinary. Only four clubs have a goal difference of over +8…. Manu (13), Chelsea (15) ManC (32) and Arsenal (39).
Of course, Arsenal are not that far ahead of the rest in every metric. In terms of shots, Arsenal are third. In terms of possession Arseenal are fourth, in terms of successful passes, Arsenal are fifth. Arsenal’s success comes with being consistently near the top in every positive metric.
Furthermore, this spread of excellence means that the opposition are never quite sure what to focus on. If the opposition has one or two particular elements of brilliance (such as pass accuracy and possession), the opposition knows who to track. But Arsenal are only fourth in possession figures, so that becomes less of a concern for the opposition. Likewise, Arsenal are fourth in terms of shots per game, so the “don’t let them shoot” order is not heard when defences prepare for a game against Arsenal.
Besides which, the possession percentage does not relate to league position. Tottenham for example, are 11th in possession, but on the edge of relegation.
Where Arsenal have changed this season is with those pesky referee cards. Last season, Arsenal were top of the red card tabler with six reds, (you’ll probably remember what happened!) but were 18th in terms of yellows. This season they have 40 yellows and zero reds (Chelsea are top of the reds with seven, Tottenham are second in the yellow table with 75 – nearly double Arsenal’s total!
So Arsenal have scored the most goals, but only had the fourth highest number of shots, the fourth highest level of possession, and indeed, the fifth highest level of successful passes.
And the secret? Certainly, the lowest number of yellow cards helps since last season they had the second highest number of cards.
But if we are looking for something particularly positive, the number of shots on target per game shows Arsenal with 5.0, in third position, fractionally behind Manchester United and Manchester City.
As for the defence, the shots per game that Arsenal face is the lowest number in the League, an astonishing 20% fewer than Manchester City, who are in 19th place for facing shots per game. And that is done without fouling or interceptions. It is just the way Arsenal play.
Plus Arsenal don’t change managers, which seven clubs have done this season, according to TransferMarkt, (some doing it several times!) Looking at recent figures, we might expect another five or so by the end of the season. Which, given that there are only 20 clubs in the league. seems rather a lot.
Although actually this is not a record! For in many seasons, over half the clubs have changed their managers. Some like Tottenahm Hots this season, do it multiple times. And no one realises that most of the time this doesn’t help! Which is why we are so pleased that Mikel Arteta has lasted 339 games, and counting. And here’s another thing: The win percentage figures….
| Manager | Games | Wins | Win % | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorge Graham | 460 | 225 | 48.91% | 2 League titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, |
| Herbert Chapman | 411 | 204 | 49.64% | 2 League titles* one FAC |
| Unai Emery | 78 | 43 | 55.13% | |
| Arsène Wenger | 1,235 | 707 | 57.25% | 3 league titles, 7 FA Cups |
| Mikel Arteta | 339 | 206 | 60.77% | 1 FA Cup |
*Chapman passed away partway through the season in which the club won its third consecutive League title.
It does seem to me to be looking rather good so far. After all, in terms of wins, we’ve never had it so good.
