Box Score
200 – Petr Cech finally got his 200th Premier League clean sheet and he did it in dramatic fashion, saving his first ever penalty for Arsenal! Cech has 10 clean sheets this season for Arsenal, bringing his total to 38 in 99 appearances for Arsenal (Premier League only). Continuing the theme of “38s”, Cech has kept a clean sheet in 38% of his Arsenal matches. Cech made 333 League appearances for Chelsea and kept 162 clean sheets for them. Erm.. that’s a 49% clean sheets rate while at Chelsea. (Source: Premier League)
5 – Penalties Cech has faced in the Premier League this season. The stop against Troy Deeney was his first penalty save since October 21st 2014 and just his 17th career penalty save bringing his career totals to 17 saves and 58 penalties allowed. Arsenal are 2nd in the League in penalties allowed this season – tied with Burnley, Huddersfield, Watford, Liverpool, Everton, and Newcastle. The most conceded in the League is Wet Hams with 6.
I guess Arsenal’s record is better this season than last: last season Arsenal conceded 10 penalties – again second most in the League. The season prior, Arsenal conceded just 1 penalty. That was the year Cech won Golden Gloves. Tottenham have only conceded 5 penalties in the last three seasons combined. (Sources: Transfermarkt, Premier League, and Football Lineups)
27 – Arsenal committed yet another error leading to a shot (Holding) bringing our ignominious total to a League high 27 errors leading to a shot and 13 errors leading to a goal. Cech has the majority of those, 7 errors and 6 goals allowed off those errors (leads the League). Arsenal only had 19 errors last season with 4 leading to a goal. 25 and 5 the season before, 25 and 8 the season before that.. you have to go back to 2012/13 to find a season when Arsenal conceded more goals off errors than they have this season. That year they had 39 errors and conceded 14 goals. (Source: Opta via Squawka)
19 – Successful Tackles by Arsenal. Once again Mkhitaryan put his foot in on tackles making 3/5 tackles in the game. He led Arsenal in attempted tackles on the way to yet another Man of the Match performance – winning the ball three times on tackles, making 4 blocks (2 crosses, 2 passes, led the team), making 8 ball recoveries (led the team), producing 17/23 passes in the final third (2nd on the team), making 2 key passes (2nd on the team), making a through ball pass (for the assist), and scoring a goal. But the whole team seems energized and ready to get in the opposition faces. It’s too early to say that this is a tactical approach change by Arsenal but since the loss to Brighton – where Albion made 37 tackles to Arsenal’s 18 – Arsenal do seem to be more aggressive. Arsenal are never going to lead the league in tackles but it was great to see even Xhaka making 4/4 tackles and Mustafi making 4/4 tackles. (Source: StatsZone App)
6 – Headed clearances by Mustafi. I think there should be an offensive and defensive man of the match and if there were I would have to give the defensive man of the match to Mustafi. He led Arsenal in clearances (7), headed clearance (6), tackles (4/4), and defensive aerial duels (4/6) and had 2 interceptions and blocked a pass. (Source StatsZone App)
6 – Turnovers by Ainsley Maitland-Niles. I have never been shy about my appreciation for Ainsley Maitland-Niles but he had an awful game tonight. He led Arsenal with 6 turnovers, made 7 bad passes, 4 of them in his own half, and gave away the foul for the penalty with an awful tackle in the box. Cech saved the penalty but that only saved AMN from possibly being dropped out of this team forever. His touch is fantastic and his speed as well but he has a long way to go before he’s going to be able to make a first team spot at the Arsenal. Hopefully, he can bounce back immediately from this performance. Arsenal are going to need him in both the Europa League and in the Premier League. (Source: StatsZone app).
@7amkickoff
Sanchez or MkHi? Mkhi everytime!!
Both Sanchez and mkhi are triers. But in Sanchez we had (and manure are having) a player who’s profligate in possession without a purpose. He does have goals in him but his indiscipline causes a huge imbalance in the team.
In mkhi we have a player who’s tidy in possession, doesn’t turnover at every turn, loses possession mostly because he’s attempting something in the final third and not dancing around in the midway trying his best impersonation of Messi.
But most importantly, what I like about mkhi is that he enables us to play our fluid fast football.
And he works hard on defense!!
Xhaka getting back to defend was very pleasing.. Hoping this is a trend
I would prefer Bellerin & AMN fighting for RWB spot. AMN is very good with his feet and can provide a different dimension attacking from the right.
Now that the Tank is back and back in form hopefully that will be the case. One thing is for sure, until AMN gets more tidy with possession he’s not ready for a spot in the middle!
Mustafi seems to play better when Koscielny is not in the team ?
Maybe it’s the pressure of being the senior defender.
Or maybe, like Kos (and Verm, Gallas, Toure before them), Kos and Mustafi are too similar and play better with a more classic “sitting” CB allowing them to press and attack the ball freely?
True, but none of out defenders are the sitting type, so it’s surprising that he’s doing well with Holding/ chambers if that’s the case
We still have Per although he sits on the stands now.
To be fair kolo was long gone by the time kos arrived
I also wonder if given the overall change in performance and full field defending the last two matches someone might have actually spoken with the team about defensive responsibilities and tactics. But I’m at a loss for who that might be, and who let the sneaky bastard into the grounds.
Good thing there are actual numbers behind my feelings about AMN’s yesterdays performance.
Not 7.5 and “a bit careless” as described here in player ratings. Gave the ball away very easily, needs to work on that & his concentration.
I thought he had terrible game yesterday. He seems to be the latest myth.
AMN’s game appears to be built on being composed in possession but he needs to understand and learn quickly that there’s a fine line between composure and carelessness
Most of Watfords attacking play was on amn side yesterday, I think he didn’t do terribly but he wasn’t great. Attacking wise in the 1st half he played well. It’s refreshing to see 2 players at rb now that are making overlapping give and goes and not stopping at their man and passing back to the cb.
Anyone find Mhkhi’s shorts are too big?
I haven’t tried them on.
with balls like his it should be no suprise
His trying to hide his rather large cojones are way from Deeney who lost both of his trying to put one past Cech. Yep! Cech your Cojones Deeney.
Appreciate the comments along with the numbers (which are themselves less in number compared to previous posts).
AMN does need to concentrate more. His natural ability is great to watch but giving the ball away and the penalty is the last thing we need at the moment.
Awful tackle for the penalty? From what I saw (short clip on my phone) the guy ran into him.
?
Do folks think AMNs tackle was actually a penalty?
Often, probably usually, given. But the reckless tackle on Mkhitarian was much more clearly a penalty (and a caution).
Depends on if you mean I think it ‘should be’ or ‘is what it is’. He stuck his leg out to block the ball, did not get it, and left his leg hanging there blocking the runner’s path. Frequently ‘leaving a leg out there’ does get the call, but not always. I also fairly frequently see attackers literally run off path into defenders and draw fouls. I’m always confused as to how refs call these. The attacker knows the defender is there, I always naturally assumed the attacker needs to go around a static defender. Apparently that’s not always so… Read more »
Though… If he hadn’t given away the penalty we wouldn’t have had the chance to Cech Deeney’s Cojones.
Maitland-Niles had an awful game? Hyperbole a little? Yes he had turnovers but there were plenty of punts up the pitch to nobody which were gobbled up by Watford players. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea but his upside is tremendous.
Just hope Wenger doesnt ruin him. Dont need another with ̣potencial.Think we need Sol to replace Bould.
0 – goals from open play Sanchez has after 9 games.
It’s hard to score when he’s playing left wing back for Mourinho.
I disagree with this Article on Maitland Niles. I think he had a fantastic game at right back and impressed me more than I’ve seen Bellerin do in long while.
AMN got skinned repeatedly and via poor defending gave away a penalty at a critical time in the match.
Impressive, indeed….
Bellerin is MILES better than Maitland-Niles.
Bellerin’s also had MILES more top flight (mid-flight?) time in the position. He’s taken his lumps too.
Hmmm
Interesting the rather stark contrast between this assessment of AMN’s performance and the narrative being trotted out on MOTD.
Yep, the truth is probably somewhere in between. I think he’ll end up as a regular for us though – we’ve got to remember he’s playing in unfamiliar positions, and only has maybe 10 first-team starts in his career. The tackle for the pen was very silly, as were some of the turnovers, but you’d hope these are things that will improve with experience. He’s got the pace, technical ability and this amazing calmness / composure. Would like to see him be a bit more aggressive and terrier-like – if he’s playing behind mikhi he might pick some things up… Read more »
No mention or appreciation for Elneny?
Elneny and Xhaka finally showing what they can do. Long may it continue.
I think AMN is drifting into comfort zone….. the whole team needs to be fired up week in week out…. lackadaisical attitude should be frown at….. negligence should not be tolerated…..
Arsenal forever….
2 – Cajones the belly with legs was missing
Can’t knock AMN, only second app at RB this season
1 – Fat Mr Potato head fuck eating humble pie post match
Is ‘turnovers’ a stat that is directly available via the StatsZone App or is it a calculated value?
Pretty decent game by all. If only we can find a left sided attacker.Sorry but Wellbeck is only slightly better than Iwobi. What about using Lacazette (pace,vision,sweet passes). Hes too good for a back up striker.