Arsenal: KPI December Edition
Arsenal: KPI December Edition
Checking in on how Arsenal look compared to the preseason expectations
Doing these posts are one of my favorites of the reoccurring type posts that I do. I think that they are really nice illustrations of where Arsenal are compared to expectations (SPOILER ALERT, VERY GOOD).
For the items presented below the blue line is the average for the season, the red line on the current season is what I set out as my goal for Arsenal’s season to be a success.
Points
Arsenal are top of the table, having won all but two matches, with just a draw and a loss to blemish an otherwise beautiful record. It would be an understatement only to say that they are beating the 1.9 points per match target that I set for them.
↗️ On this measure, Arsenal are well above my expectations
Expected Goals
Arsenal expected goals figures are very good. I set a target of 1.7 for this and after 16 matches Arsenal are at 2.1. For expected goals against I set a target of lower than 1.1 and Arsenal are at 0.9 allowed per match. For the overall expected goals difference, I set a target of 0.66, which again Arsenal are smashing with a +1.2 xG difference right now.
↗️On this measure, Arsenal are well above my expectations
Shots
The open play shots story is roughly the same as xG (duh they are related), I set a target of 11.4 for this and they are at 11.6. For open play shots against I set a target of lower than 6.8 and Arsenal are at 6.2 allowed per match. For overall shot difference, I set a target of 4.6, which Arsenal are beating with a +5.4 open play shot difference right now.
↗️On this measure, Arsenal are well above my expectations
Deep Completions
Deep Completions For: Target 24.8 or better, Season: 26.2
Deep Completions Against: Target 14.4 or lower, Season: 12.2
Deep Completion Difference: Target 10.4 or better, Season: 14.0
↗️Overall Arsenal are well above expectations
Field Tilt
Field Tilt: Target 62% or better, Season: 67.6%
↗️Overall Arsenal are well above expectations
Overall
Arsenal are looking like one of the best teams in the League after the first 40% of the season. Their place at the top of the Premier League is not lucky or a fluke.
Looking at them on the weighted xG and Goals for and against, Arsenal are up in the upper right corner (aka the good corner) for the Premier League so far this season. The team has steadily climbed up the rankings with the results and with a growing gap to the people chasing them have moved into the pole (or very near it) for the title race. This team is special and I am enjoying the ride.