The exact reasons why Arsenal came good – so very good at Leicester

Posted on by Tony Attwood

By Tony Attwood

“A willingness to attack, a high velocity, and sophistication.”

That is by and large what today’s Guardian report on on Arsenal says.  But I am going to highlight a handful of other things that can out of yesterday’s game.

First the number of shots.

 Arsenal have more shots than anyone else per game.   But the conversation rate is poor.  So as the table below from Footstats shows we are a little way above Man C in terms of shots per game and then considerably above the chasing pack.
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Now we have been heavily criticised for that.  But in fact getting the shots in is the difficult part.  I know that members of the Arsenal crowd yesterday were still occasionally saying “why didn’t he shoot?” at odd moments but in reality we do shoot more than other clubs.
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And that is the difficult bit – unless you have players who are just going to shoot from ludicrous positions – which of course by and large we don’t see much of in the Premier League, shooting is the first point – the basic.
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What you have to do is get the shots on target, and then get the goals out of that.   Now Arsenal are about half way down the league with shots on target and when it comes to shots per goal we are right down there, almost at the bottom.
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Shots on target is easier to improve than having shots at all, but having shots that turn into goal, that is down to accuracy of course, but also a spot of luck – the hitting of the post, the boot in the way as I was saying the other day.
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So in essence we’ve been doing all the hard bits.
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Here’s the table of shots per game
Shots F
Shots A
Target %F
Target % A
Goal %F
Goal %A
Arsenal
20.17
11
33.88
40.91
12.2
18.52
Man City
19.83
8.67
36.97
21.15
27.27
18.18
Chelsea
16.5
14.5
29.29
47.13
31.03
29.27
Tottenham
16.33
11.67
33.67
27.14
15.15
21.05
Southampton
16.33
9.33
34.69
23.21
20.59
61.54
Swansea
14.33
11.67
40.7
27.14
20
26.32
Liverpool
14.17
11.17
29.41
26.87
16
38.89
Norwich
13.67
12.67
31.71
35.53
34.62
37.04
Leicester
13.33
11
36.25
36.36
44.83
37.5
Watford
12.83
11.83
25.97
32.39
25
21.74
Crystal Palace
12.17
19.5
39.73
31.62
27.59
18.92
Everton
11.5
15.17
34.78
31.87
33.33
17.24
Man United
11.33
8.83
30.88
39.62
42.86
23.81
Aston Villa
11.33
12.5
27.94
33.33
31.58
36
Bournemouth
11
10
30.3
28.33
40
52.94
West Brom
10.67
15
31.25
32.22
20
20.69
West Ham
10.5
17
34.92
31.37
59.09
21.88
Stoke
10.33
16.33
35.48
39.8
22.73
23.08
Sunderland
9
18.17
29.63
34.86
37.5
34.21
Newcastle
8.33
17.67
30
33.02
20
25.71
 And the table of shots that turn into goals
Shots F
Shots A
Target %F
Target %A
Goal %F
Goal % A
West Ham
10.5
17
34.92
31.37
59.09
21.88
Leicester
13.33
11
36.25
36.36
44.83
37.5
Man United
11.33
8.83
30.88
39.62
42.86
23.81
Bournemouth
11
10
30.3
28.33
40
52.94
Sunderland
9
18.17
29.63
34.86
37.5
34.21
Norwich
13.67
12.67
31.71
35.53
34.62
37.04
Everton
11.5
15.17
34.78
31.87
33.33
17.24
Aston Villa
11.33
12.5
27.94
33.33
31.58
36
Chelsea
16.5
14.5
29.29
47.13
31.03
29.27
Crystal Palace
12.17
19.5
39.73
31.62
27.59
18.92
Man City
19.83
8.67
36.97
21.15
27.27
18.18
Watford
12.83
11.83
25.97
32.39
25
21.74
Stoke
10.33
16.33
35.48
39.8
22.73
23.08
Southampton
16.33
9.33
34.69
23.21
20.59
61.54
Newcastle
8.33
17.67
30
33.02
20
25.71
West Brom
10.67
15
31.25
32.22
20
20.69
Swansea
14.33
11.67
40.7
27.14
20
26.32
Liverpool
14.17
11.17
29.41
26.87
16
38.89
Tottenham
16.33
11.67
33.67
27.14
15.15
21.05
Arsenal
20.17
11
33.88
40.91
12.2
18.52

So there is little relation between the shots on target that turn into goals, and the league position – it seems also random, but there is more relation between the shots per game and the league table.  Showing again that shots are the key.

So we came good against Leicester because we kept shooting only now they started to go in.  Imagine if we had not been shooting in every game – it would have been much harder to turn that around and start shooting all the time.

The second reason I’m going to give is the away fans.

You have to go to away matches to know just how incredible and positive the fans are.   Worries about Giroud?  Not at all – he’s treated by away support as an absolute hero – just like every player is.

No whining, no moaning, no nothing – you can see why in this world created by the blogettas and the media of whinging and complaining, clubs are freed up to play free flowing football.   Because they know their supporters are on their side.

But that sort of whinging has an effect on players.  They start to get nervous at home.  If you want your team to perform well at home, you have to set up an atmosphere like you get with Arsenal away.

The third reason for yesterday was Alexis Sánchez.  As I have tried to say before, he wasn’t just back late from Chile, he came back as the greatest hero Chilean football has ever seen – the ultimate man who delivered the ultimate prize.  He scored the winning penalty for goodness sake and was already the hero of the nation.

Now Alexis might be a level headed sort of guy, but even the most level headed sort of guy is not going to sleep for a month after doing what he did, and if he thought he was hounded by the wretched media before, that is nothing to what happened since.

All he needed was the breakthrough, and when he got it, there we were.  He was off.

What probably made it worse for Alexis Sánchez was that he didn’t just score in the FA Cup Final, he scored the ultimate goal in the FA Cup Final.  He’s been expected to deliver another.

Finally, now on the pitch we have Santi Cazorla, Sánchez and Mesut Özil playing together – but they need each other on top form to make it all happen.  And yesterday it did.

Which shows…

 

POS CLUB P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Manchester United 7 5 1 1 12 5 7 16
2 Manchester City 7 5 0 2 13 6 7 15
3 State Aid United 7 4 1 2 15 9 6 13
4 Arsenal 7 4 1 2 10 7 3 13
5 Tottenham Hotspur 7 3 3 1 9 5 4 12
6 Leicester City 7 3 3 1 15 14 1 12
7 Liverpool 7 3 2 2 7 9 -2 11
8 Everton 6 2 3 1 8 5 3 9
9 Southampton 7 2 3 2 10 9 1 9
10 Crystal Palace 6 3 0 3 8 7 1 9
11 Swansea City 7 2 3 2 8 8 0 9
12 Watford 6 2 3 1 5 5 0 9
13 Norwich City 7 2 3 2 11 12 -1 9
14 West Bromwich Albion 6 2 2 2 4 6 -2 8
15 PGMO 7 2 2 3 11 14 -3 8
16 Bournemouth 7 2 1 4 9 11 -2 7
17 Stoke City 7 1 3 3 7 10 -3 6
18 Aston Villa 7 1 1 5 8 12 -4 4
19 Newcastle United 7 0 3 4 5 11 -6 3
20 Sunderland 7 0 2 5 6 16 -10 2

 

To everyone who was at the game yesterday – players and fans of Arsenal – thank you.

Anniversaries

  • 27 September 2004: Gilberto Silva scan revealed that he had life threatening back problems.  However he recovered and played with Arsenal until 2008.
  • 27 September 2008: After three wins in which Arsenal had scored a total of ten goals, Arsenal were unbelievably beaten 1-2 by Hull in their second defeat in the Emirates.  The Arsenal goal came from McShane who turned it into his own net.

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29 Replies to “The exact reasons why Arsenal came good – so very good at Leicester”

  1. Amid all the plaudits for Arsenal over their stunning victory at Leicester (and the way in which it was gained), one should not forget that the home side contributed to a fine game by playing open, attacking football.
    The ‘bus parkers of the EPL should take note. A team can lose and yet receive praise over their performance. 😉

  3. Tony

    Really enjoy Chelski being referred as PGMO
    By the way i believe the real PGMO Alex Ferguson has retired for good.
    Pls comment.

  4. The Tinkeman is also a gentleman. He does not do dirt. He & Wenger respect each other & understand the Beautiful game. When football is played on a level playing field the Game shines.

  5. Wenger has a poor record against MU.The reason is obvious. He doesn’t bother about the defence.
    The attack is too slow.Ramires scored Chelsea ‘s goal from maybe 2/3/4 passes.
    With the gunners it will be endless or ten passes. By then defences will be packed and its like trying to find away through a London Tube train during the peak hours.
    I’ve been saying time and again.Get Sanchez or OX to run at the defences. Then these guys will have no time to react.
    I will wait for MU game result.Failure to get three points will indicate Wenger will find it tough to beat the big teams.

  6. Very true Nicky, Leicester played very well at times, and their manager is a class act, unlike some I can think of.
    Great result, and a pretty good day, with the exception of a capitulation against the Welsh in a different sport.
    And the Invincibles remain just that for another season.
    As for Utd, we can beat them, the team will hopefully enjoy returning home, I just hope we start the game on a level playing field…..not sure if it has been announced yet, but this game smacks of a Taylor or Atkinson stitch up in revenge for the worldwide embarrassment inflicted on the pgmol at Chelsea and wengers part in getting a very small amount of justice done.
    But overall, great team performance yesterday with Alexis taking the plaudits.

  7. Tony
    All good reasons, but the main reason for Arsenal victory was the fact Leceister City under Ranieri are taylor made for Arsenal and Wenger.

    Leicester’s wide open style of play and shaky defense were always going to create a good playing enviroment for Arsenal.

    If Mourinho is the master of dark arts who spends more time plotting how to stop others from playing , then Ranieri is his polar opposite and never bothers with that sort of practice.

    No wonder Wenger’s record against Ranieri is 14 wins and 1 loss.

    In a end to end , wide open style of play , the team with superior talent will win the game most of the time.
    If the league consisted of more teams like Leicester , Villa and Norwich City , Arsenal would be winning the title every other year.

    Still , credit to Arsenal for stopping Mahrez from creating anything and for taking their chances brilliantly.
    A very good win.

  9. Well done to Leicester for playing an attacking game and not park the bus. Good win for Arsenal. Both side was enjoyable to watch. That’s how football should be played. COYG.

  10. Also I should have mentioned the song

    ain’t nobody
    like koscielny
    makes me happy
    ain’t nobody

    Over and over and over and over and over again – full tribute to the away support

  11. Wow,where are all the maggots,sorry sewer rats ?? What a lovely atmosphere be warned morons the weather is gona stay like this all season and when we put the devil on the guillotine at old toilet it will be so sweet,keep it up guys the struggle continues.

  13. Sanchez seems to have broken a couple of records in the game:

    Alexis Sanchez is the 1st player to score a HAT-TRICK in England, Spain and Italy’s top flight leagues.

    He’s the 8th South American and 1st Chilean to score 3 goals in the Premier League

    Congratulations to the big man!

  16. @Mandy D,
    Yes, I should also have paid just tribute to Ranieri who, against the trend, acts like a true sportsman and gentleman.
    Mourhino and others should try and emulate.

  17. @Tony,
    Great write up about a fantastic game to watch! These are the types of games that people want to see! It shows the difference of having managers that want to play the game the right way.

    @Wolfgang,
    One can also make a better argument that the Wenger has a poor record against United because of complete ref incompetence/bias.

    Wenger’s Record vs United until Game 50

    11 Wins 8 Losses 6 Draws

    Wenger’s Record vs United since Game 50

    6 Wins 17 losses 6 Draws

    Why the difference since 2004? The rise of Ferguson’s chosen one, Mike Riley, to the head of PGMOL for his bias shown in Game 50. Mike Dean looks to have auditioned for the role in the Chelsea match. And if you watch many of the matches, you will see a ton of bias against Arsenal in the matches so much so that when a ref actually makes the right calls in the game like Oliver did last year, the ref gets put under pressure!

    It makes a better argument than making ludicrous statements that Wenger does not do defense, when his teams are usually near the top with the fewest goals allowed every season.

  18. Agree with Jerry about ref bias.In the run up to Leicester’s 2nd goal,Cech was pushed but no fee kick was given. It could be a case of ref bias .
    That’s why I have been saying when Arsenal play Mu the gunners will be up against 14 guys.
    Thanks Jerry for the analysis.

  19. Speaking of the petition, it was at 105,080 as of (I believe) 14:14.

    —

    Zelalem started and played 62min for Rangers. He had 1 shot, was fouled 3 times (3rd was a yellow) and assisted 1 goal.

    —

    Dan Crowley has missed 2 games for Barnsley due to injury.

    Chuba Akpom seems to be doing well for Hull, but goals are evading the striker.

    Isaac Hayden is not getting as much game time as Akpom at Hull.

    Ainsley Maitland-Niles is Ipswich Player of September. He has also been doing well with the England U19.

    Jon Toral seems to be getting consistent time at Birmingham.

    Emi Martinez is doing well at Wolves. I think he is featuring in most games, and is mostly missing time due to knocks. Not that goalkeepers ever get them. 🙂

    Wellington is getting time at Bolton, and like Akpom is finding it difficult to get on the score sheet.

    Wanderers started in the ascendancy, with Wellington Silva continuing his one-man quest to be the most Arsenal player of all time,

    Gedion Zelalem is getting lots of mention in the Rangers press with shots, passes and dribbles.

    Szczesny has been doing well at Roma, but is currently sidelined by injury (against Barcelona).

    Yaya Sanogo has had a rocky time at Ajax. TribalFootball thinks that maybe things are turning around. The latest news I can find, has him fighting some unspecified injury.

  20. Tony

    I don’t know if TheRegister is a site you frequent. Worstall has a 3 page article on child labour, or rather that banning child labour won’t stop the use of child labour. It is a general article, and doesn’t mention football. It seems to have an abundance of links to references. Even the comments seem reasonable.

  21. Leicester was no walk in the park. In fact watching them I. Thought several times that if they keep their squad intact throughout the season, they will make life difficult for many in the top half.
    That asside we played very well and needed to! Great to see our apparently non existent strike force all get on the score sheet with Alexis bagging a super hatrik!!
    Can’t help the need to mention moaning Moarinhoo…without THE Atminson ‘helping hand/whistle’ the one point he got never looked likely! Investigate PGMO Ltd!!!

    COYG
    Where are the rats?

  22. Tony, I think there is a twit for you on the Arsenal site.

    6_LKoscielny

    I love my new song thank you my gunners ??

    6_LKoscielny

    RT @Stuart_PhotoAFC: Brilliant @6_LKOSCIELNY song from the #Arsenal fans yesterday #AFC http://t.co/xEi3SBrVKQ

  23. Wolfgang
    September 27, 2015 at 2:57 pm
    Exactly what we’re up against. The foul was a red card offence similar to the assault on Debuchy. Kos could have had abroken leg & Cech a serious injury too.

    Kampala ndugu zangu don’t forget it was a judge that started the fight for independence. The rats never leave the ship until it is sinking. There are many more on SS Chelsea.

    Leicester are a fantastic team that play very good football. Arsenal play better. We play Wengerball. There is a bit of luck required in any sport. The confidence level that both teams have is fantastic.

    There are aspects of Leicester that need to be corrected. Vardy who is an excellent footballer needs to be coached out of the ‘English robust tackle’. It is outside the Laws of the Game. The Laws simply state that it is a foul to use excessive force on a player. He needs to read the Laws & speak to a good official from the 70s (someone like Jack Taylor) before the corruption set in.

  24. Away supporters go to support whereas at home many come to be entertained. Large pockets of the crowd are relatively quiet and only make noise to show their discontent should things not be to their liking.
    I see some of the same old faces from Highbury but many only travel because of the way things seem to be at the Emirates.

  25. Alexis Sanchez apparently dropped a quotation on instagram:

    We don’t pretend that things will change if we always keep doing the same. A crisis is the best blessing that can happen to people and countries because crisis brings progress. Creativity is born from anguish, it is in crisis that discoveries and great strategies are born. Without crisis there are no challenges, without challenges life is a routine, it is in crisis where the best of each person emerges. He who overcomes crisis, overcomes himself without being overcome.

    As near as I can tell, this is attributed to Albert Einstein. I didn’t realize the Alexis was a student of relativity.

  26. There is an article out, about the fact that Santi Cazorla has more goal assists than any other person in the EPL since the beginning of the 2012/13 season (at 32).

    PremierLeague.com displays assist statistics with about 20 entries per page. I am guessing that it is most likely the best assisters, should be near the top consistently. So, I grabbed the first page, plus as many extra on the next page that are tied for the position that was last on the first page, which ends up being 68 entries for the last 3 seasons. Those 68 entries are for 56 people (so expect most people in the top 20 once, and we do find that there are 46 people only in the top-20 once. With the exception of Cesc Fabregas (at 18), all of these single year people are at or below 12. And in the last 3 seasons, top assists were 11, 12, 18; with second place being 11 for that 18.

    Six of the remaining people have been in the top-20 twice (Pablo Hernández, Samir Nasri, Jesús Navas, Jordan Henderson, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard), and three have been in the top-20 3 times (David Silva, Eden Hazard, Santiago Cazorla). All of the only 2 years people are below the totals for the all 3 years.

    Doing statistics on 3 numbers is difficult. On an assist per year basis, the front runners produce 8, 9 and 10 assists per year on average. If these averages were to come from a Poisson distributions, we would expect the standard deviation for all three to be about 3. Which nominally means that Santi Cazorla does not statistically produce more assists than David Silva or Eden Hazard.

    If you were to compare assists per year, over 3 year intervals for all players, you would find it difficult to say that Santi Cazorla was significantly better than people averaging as few as say 4 assists per year. And in generating my data for this blurb, I think the lowest number of assists in a year I picked was about 6 or 7, so I don’t have the data to even consider that test.

  27. OT: Supermoon Eclipse

    Probably no supermoon eclipse here, it is raining. Maybe you can see it where you are? Next one is in 2033 I believe.

  28. I’m not sure why my critiquing how someone who doesn’t know statistics, uses statistics, is something to dislike. But a dislike (or like) count of 1 is statistically the same as 0.

    —

    The Arsenal Ladies game against ManCity in the Continental Cup quarter final will take place Thursday.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150928/ladies-to-host-man-city-on-thursday

    With Chelsea winning yesterday in the WSL, I think Arsenal pretty much finishes 3rd this year.

    —

    Details of the U-19 Champions League game on Tuesday are at the Arsenal website:

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150928/watch-arsenal-under-19s-live-on-arsenal

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