Arsenal 4 (1.8)-(0.8) 1 Crystal Palace: The Debrief
Arsenal bounce back from Europa League disappointment to get back to winning ways.
10 - Matches Arsenal are away from glory
Everything is in Arsenal’s hands; there are just 10 matches and two months left. It will be stressful and miserable at times, but this is what makes fandom worth it.
Arsenal suffered a pretty disappointing result Thursday and made that all disappear with this match against Crystal Palace.
I am new to the term “run-in” but I am quickly adapting to its use, I am more used to the final stretch or stretch run but regardless what you call it I can’t wait to go through it all with you.
Arsenal 4 (1.8)-(0.8) 1 Crystal Palace: The Graphics
Arsenal 4 (1.8)-(0.8) 1 Crystal Palace: The Debrief
+1.0 - Arsenal’s xG difference in this match, this is the 13th time this season that Arsenal have beaten their opponent be more than 1 expected goal.
4 - Goals scored, this is the 5th time this season that Arsenal have scored 4 or more goals.
90 - Arsenal’s goal pace this season. That would be the most goals scored in the 38-match season for an Arsenal team.
2.2 - Arsenal’s non-penalty goals per match this season, tied for Manchester City for the most in the Premier League this season.
+3 - Arsenal’s goal difference in this match, pushing their total this season to +40. That is just 2 behind Manchester City (with an extra match played) and pushes Arsenal to be among the best ever for an Arsenal team in a 38-match season.
43 - Touches in the box for Arsenal, this is the 10th time that Arsenal have had 40 or more touches in the box.
17 - Touches in the box for Crystal Palace, this is the 22nd time this season that Arsenal have allowed 20 or less touches in the box this season.
73% - Arsenal’s share of the final third possession in this match, this is the 13th match that Arsenal has had more than 70% of the final third possession.
2 - Times this season that Arsenal have had less final third possession than their opponents, Leeds away and Brighton away.
I think for Arsenal this match was decided in the 30 minutes between 25 and 55. Arsenal got 3 of their 4 goals during that period but they also just absolutely put their boots on the throat of Crystal Palace and didn’t let them get out.
Crystal Palace started this match aggressive pushing forward looking to press Arsenal. They did so with some success, keeping Arsenal from turning any of their dangerous moments into final balls while generally keeping them from camping in the final third. They also looked to target Rob Holding to try and force the reserve into a mistake.
Arsenal rode that pressure and adapted building their way into the game. If a team comes to play against Arsenal it just feels like a matter of time before Arsenal score against them and this match was no different. Gabriel Martinelli fresh off 120 minutes took a cross from Bukayo Saka and turned a 7% chance into a lead that Arsenal would never give up.
This is the second match in a row where Arsenal have gotten out ahead inside of the first 30 minutes to replicate what they were able to do early in the season. Arsenal with a lead right now feels like one of the surest bets that you can make and they were good for that feeling in this match.'
Bukayo Saka is making a case for Player of the Season
2 - Goals, bringing his total for the season to 12
1 - Assist, bringing his total for the season to 10
4 - Progressive Passes
7 - Deep Completions (not Cross), led all players
3 - Key Passes, led all players
3 - Shots, led all players
8 - Progressive Carries, led all players
13 - Progressive Passes Received, led all players
16 - Touches in the box, led all players
0.84 - Goal Probability Added, led all players
I don’t know what else you can say about Saka at this point. He has grown from just Arsenal’s most important player to perhaps the most important player in the whole league. I know Erling Haaland has all the goals and he will probably ride that to Player of the Year but Saka and his impact on this Arsenal team will never be forgotten.
In this match, the right-hand side of Arsenal was pretty much unstoppable.
The combo of Saka, Martin Odegaard and Ben White ran the show for Arsenal and it was a joy to watch.
Ben White has a day
40 - Pass Completed on 81.6% Pass completion percentage and 111.7% Pass Efficiency
5 - Final 3rd Entry Passes
4 - Progressive Passes
6 - Deep Completions (not Cross)
1 - Key Passes
4 - Progressive Carries
1 - Tackles
3 - Interceptions
6 - Ball Recoveries
It is hard to remember that Ben White started this season as a center-back and that we had worry about how he would fit into this team with William Saliba.
That feels like so long ago now.
The big reason for that is that White no longer feels like a center back that is playing right back and has instead turned into one of the best right backs in the league. He doesn’t play right back like many of us would have thought a few years ago but has instead adapted into a new hybrid role with a bit of center back, a bit of central midfield and bit of the old attacking fullback. In this match I think he showed a bit of all three roles.
His attacking contribution was clear, providing the assist to Saka’s first goal with a great little slip pass. He was also key to Arsenal’s press that kept Crystal Palace from relieving pressure. His knack for cutting out passes was very good, this was what sparked Arsenal’s first goal. He was also good in the buildup for Arsenal, helping to cover for the loss of William Saliba.
I know many wanted to try and shift him to center back but this performance really highlighted just how key he is to Arsenal’s style of play as a wide player that is hard to replicate.