Arsenal 4 (2.9)-(0.6) 1 Leeds: The Debrief

Arsenal notch another win

This could have been a trap game, but Arsenal did not look past Leeds and got a deserved three points to keep the gap at the top of the table at 8 points (extra match played).

Arsenal 4 (2.9)-(0.6) 1 Leeds: The graphics

Arsenal 4 (2.9)-(0.6) 1 Leeds: The stats

7 - Premier League wins in a row for Arsenal, their longest win streak of the season

23 - Goals scored by Arsenal in this stretch of wins, that’s 3.3 goals per match

6 - Times in the 7-game stretch where Arsenal scored 3 or more goals

16.3 - Expected goals for by Arsenal in this stretch of wins, 2.3 xG per match

6 - Goals allowed by Arsenal in this stretch of wins, that’s 0.9 goals allowed per match

3 - Clean sheets over this stretch

Arsenal continued their win streak against Leeds and did so in a way that is becoming a bit normal, creating a ton of good chances with a solid defense. Thankfully this match went a lot more like the Everton, Fulham, and Crystal Palace wins and didn’t need to feature a dramatic comeback to win the points.

12 - Shots for Arsenal in this match, that is tied for the 6th fewest they have taken in a match this season.

5 - Big Chances, this is tied for the most Arsenal have created in a match, this is also the third time in the 7-match winning streak that they have done so.

2.9 - Expected goals (from my model), this is the 9th highest total for expected goals this season. This is the 14th time this season that Arsenal have created 2 or more expected goals.

13.9 - The average shot distance in yards for Arsenal in this match, they took just 2 shots from outside the box (one was really long due to the keeper being off his line and needing a goal-line clearance). This is the 5th shortest average shot distance this season.

5 - Players on Arsenal with at least 5 goals scored, Arsenal also now have 5 players in double figures for goals plus assists

This wasn’t the most impressive day for Arsenal attacking but they did have a few really nice moments that cut open a Leeds team that has been leaky at the back. They did it in this match through the quality of chances rather than pure quantity. Like so many of these types of matches, it followed the story if the first one went in, 3+ goals felt very much in the cards and that is exactly what happened even with Arsenal playing in what felt like 2nd or 3rd gear for much of the match.

1 - Times this season that Arsenal have allowed more than 15 shots in a match (Tottenham at Home)

23 - Times this season that Arsenal have held their opponent to 10 or fewer shots this season

15 - Times this season that Arsenal have held their opponent to under 1 expected goal

0 - Shots from set plays by Leeds in this match. This was becoming a major issue and Arsenal did well to clean things up, there was one dangerous set play that could have turned into a shot but thankfully the delivery was overhit and went out for a goal kick.

I know during the match the commentary seemed to really like the chances that Leeds managed and were talking up that they had the better of the opening chances but that really isn’t backed up here with the numbers. Arsenal did pretty well to limit Leeds to at best half chances and 0 big chances in this match.

Jesus Returns with a Bang

28 - Pass Attempts on 85.7% pass completion and 105.8% Pass Efficiency

1 - Progressive Pass

1 - Key Pass, with 0.1 xA

5 - Shot creating actions (2 leading to goals)

4 - Shots

1.65 - Expected Goals, and 2 actually goals

4 - Dribble Completed, of 11 attempts

2 - Time Fouled

4 - Progressive Carries

7 - Progressive Passes Received

8 - Touches in the box

1 - Tackle

1 - Foul

2 - Blocked Passes

4 - Ball Recoveries

It has been a while since we have seen Gabriel Jesus starting for Arsenal and it was a welcome return. Eddie Nketiah and especially Leandro Trossard did really well to help keep Arsenal afloat in his absence but this match showed the little extra special stuff that he can bring to the table with his performances.

In this match I think he showed a bit everything, he was linking in midfield effectively with a hand in the buildup to many of Arsenal’s chances.

While Also playing key roles in 2 of Arsenal’s four goals. He earns and slots home the first penalty. And then plays the pass into Trossard before finishing the excellent return ball.

On top of that he was back to his interchanging best, freely switching with Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard to give the Arsenal attack the overloads needed to break through Leeds.

It was welcome to have him back.

Benny Blanco continues to be pivotal

58 - Pass Attempts completing 84.5% of them on 106.5% Pass Efficiency

6 - Final 3rd Entry Passes completed

4 - Progressive Passes

1 - Shot, 0.7 xG, and 1 goal. Taking as cool as you like on the volley.

3 - Times Fouled

5 - Progressive Carries

7 - Long Pass Received, leading all players

3 - Tackles with 1 time being Dribbled Past 0.75 - Tackle %

1 - Blocked Pass

3 - Ball Recoveries

4 - Clearances

Ben White was not really supposed to a right back. It is amazing when you think about it, he was a good center back last season and there were questions about how he would fit with William Saliba coming back to Arsenal from loan and well the answer was he would just go and become one of the best right backs in the league.

He just does most things right and plays key roles in most things that the team does. It feels like you could say something like this every week, but it is true. He was a key part of Arsenal’s build-up play, had some very nice recovery runs after some uncharacteristic loose passing early, and then made a perfect late back post run to put away the second goal.

After the Saliba injury, people were trying to figure out ways to move him to cover that spot and it is understandable but seeing what he brings as a right back, it feels really tough to imagine that Arsenal still being able to reach this same level with the options that Arsenal would have to shift around to shoehorn someone else into his role.

Sources: Opta via Whoscored, FBref, my own database

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