Arsenal at the break: By the numbers

Stealing the by the number format to look at Arsenal at the World Cup break.

Everything is paused while the World Cup takes place but that doesn’t mean we have to forget about Arsenal entirely. So today I am going to borrow the “By the numbers” format that I use on Arseblog to take a look at how Arsenal look so far this season.

Compared to Last Season

12 - Points gained over the same fixtures from last season (replacing relegated teams with promoted teams)

10 - Additional goals scored over the same fixtures from last season

1.5 - Additional expected goals created over the same fixtures from last season

7 - Fewest goals allowed compared to the same fixtures from last season

2.7 - Fewest expected goals allowed compared to the same fixtures from last season

It is impossible to do a perfect apples to apples comparison but this is something that I think comes sort of close, or at least closer just picking say the first 14 matches last season.

Going up against the same opponents has seen Arsenal perform significantly better, producing more goals. fewer goals against and a nice bounce in points. Last year’s haul would have put Arsenal 5th and I think we would all be a bit disappointed if that had been the case.

Attack

33 - Goals for Arsenal this season, second in the Premier League

26.2 - Expected Goals for Arsenal this season, second in the Premier League

0.7 - Expected Goals per 90 for Gabriel Jesus, leading Arsenal

164 - Key passes for Arsenal, fifth most in the Premier League

1.7 - Open play key passes per 90 for Martin Odegaard, leading Arsenal

89.6 - Goals that Arsenal are on pace for this season. That is 2.36 goals per match!

15.8 - Shots per 90 for Arsenal, third in the Premier League

11.9 - Open play shots per 90, second in the Premier League

3.0 - Open play shots for Gabriel Jesus, leading Arsenal

21.1 - Expected Goals from open play, second in the Premier League

456 - Touches in the penalty area for Arsenal, third in the Premier League

4.9% - The percentage of Arsenal’s touches that have been in the penalty area, second in the Premier League

26 - Deep completions (passes within 25 yards of goal) for Arsenal per match, third in the Premier League

3.9 - Deep completions (not from crosses) for Gabriel Martinelli, leading Arsenal

Overall Arsenal have put together a pretty spectacular attacking open 14 matches this season.

By most measures, Arsenal are in the top three and overall look to be the second-best attacking team in the Premier League.

Defense

11 - Goals allowed, tied for fewest in the Premier League

11.2 - Expected goals allowed, fewest in the Premier League

112 - Shots allowed by Arsenal, second fewest in the Premier League

36 - Shots on target allowed by Arsenal, tied for fewest in the Premier League

29.8 - The amount of goals Arsenal are on pace to concede this season, that would be the fewest since 2003-04 when they allowed just 26.

207 - Touches in the penalty area allowed by Arsenal, second fewest in the Premier League

101.0 - Final third touches allowed by Arsenal, second fewest allowed per match in the Premier League.

180.8 - Final third touches allowed by Tottenham, the second most allowed per match in the Premier League (LOL)

As impressive as the attack is, the defense has probably been the bigger story and a bigger reason why Arsenal are not just in the Champions League discussion but rather are a legit title contender. It is hard to say with certainty, but they might have the best defense right now in the Premier League.

It has been a wonderful early season and I am enjoying every minute of things so far. I can’t wait to get back to the Premier League (even if I am still enjoying the non-stop soccer of the World Cup).