Not a lot of preamble today, just wanted to say thank you for everyone that followed along this season. It didn’t quite end the way we wanted it to but from my perspective it was a fantastic season.
I have enjoyed following this team over the last 10 months and writing about them several times a week. That has not always been the case with Arsenal in the past and having a team that you enjoy, with players that are likeable and talented makes a big difference.
Now onto the stats for the final Arsenal match of the season.
Arsenal vs Everton: The Graphics
Arsenal vs Everton: The Debrief
26 - Shots for Arsenal in this match, this was the 4th time that Arsenal had more than 25 shots in a match. 21 of those from open play.
3.3 - Expected goals for Arsenal against Everton, the 9th time this season that they have created more than 3.0 xG in a match and the 4th time that they have done it without a penalty.
6 - Big chances for Arsenal against Everton, tied for the second most this season and the 9th time that Arsenal have had 5 or more in a match
5- Shots for Everton in this match, this was the 9th time that Arsenal has held an opponent to 5 or fewer shots in a match.
0.5 - Expected goals for Everton, the 18th time this season that they have allowed 0.5 or fewer expected goals.
1 - Big chances for Everton, the 23rd time that Arsenal have allowed had 1 or fewer in a match
61 - Touches in the box for Arsenal against Everton, the second most they have had in a match this season and the 9th time this season they have had 50 or more in a match
44 - Touches in ‘Zone 14’ the area central just outside of the penalty box
82 - Deep touches (within 25 yards of goal) for Arsenal, the 3rd most in a match this season
5 - Touches in the box for Everton
13 - Zone 14 touches for Everton
8 - Deep touches for Everton
This wasn’t the beautiful day out in the sun final day against a team that was just there because the schedule had type of final day that sometimes happens but it was still from my perspective a good performance from Arsenal.
Arsenal returned to territorial dominance after a match against Manchester United where they were content to sit further back. The scoreline and opponent are obviously factors here with Arsenal scoring early and taking the lead vs here where they went behind and the game was tied for 86 minutes. Even with these caveats, it was still nice to see this type of Arsenal again.
299 - The difference in touches in the final third between Arsenal (362) and Everton in this match (63)
It took a bit longer to get the breakthrough and it almost felt like it might not come but it was still a performance worthy of praise. You can discount things but this was a must win match (even if it didn’t ultimately matter because Manchester City won) and the team put together one of the better statistical performances of the year.
What I think still stands out the most for me in this match and the season as a whole is just how good this team is defensively.
Arsenal have combined a unique blend of shot suppression with the ability to limit the quality of those chances. This is not normal with these often having the opposite relationship where a team will sacrifice one or the other to a certain extent.
But not this Arsenal team.
This match was another example of just how good at both Arsenal were. Everton had just 5 shots and one chance that was above average.
Everton came in to this match as a good counter attacking and set play team and were nullified. This is just what this Arsenal defense does to teams these days and it is pretty delightful to see.
Gabriel Martinelli returns to form
5 - Key Passes
0.56 - xA
55 - Pass Attempts
78.2% - Pass completion percentage on 102% pass completion efficiency (actual completion compared to expected completion)
8 - Progressive Passes
5 - Crosses completed, of 8 attempted
2 - Shots
0.23 - xG
2 - Dribbles Completed
22 - Progressive Carries
5 - Carry into Final Third
11 - Carry into the box
8 - Progressive Passes Received
13 - Touches in the box
19 - Deep Touches
0.95 - Goal Probability Added
This was a really good match for Gabriel Martinelli and one that was needed for him and I think more importantly for us as fans. It was a good reminder that this is still a very good player and one that on form is one of the best wingers in the world.
He has been out of form recently and has rightfully been replaced by Leandro Trossard on the left wing but that doesn’t mean that he is done at Arsenal.
In this match he was heavily involved in play for what seems like the first time in a while getting 64 touches here (he has averaged just 55 per 90 this season) and having good connections with Martin Odegaard, Ben White, and Thomas Partey.
He took advantage of this platform and connectiveness to very effectively replicate the final third ball progression that Bukayo Saka provides.
His overall numbers here are pretty obscene with him running constantly at Ashley Young and making him look like the nearly 40 year old he is.
On another day one of his really good crosses is turned in but it was still a great day for the Brazilian and a way to end an up and down season on a high.
Havertz shine as a forward continues
9 - Shots, the most he has had in his career a match, his previous high was 6 shots which he did with Chelsea against Real Madrid twice (one in 120 minutes) and against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
1.4 - Expected goals
16 - Touches in the box
12 - Progressive passes received
4 - Aerial duels won of 6 contested
1 - Key pass (0.06 xA)
The Kai Havertz as forward experiment looks like it is no longer an experiment.
When he was playing as a midfielder he didn’t really play as a midfielder but more like a shadow striker that started a bit deeper now he is just not starting nearly as deep and it has really started to unlock his game.
This was another in a string of performances from him that was incredibly impressive. His combination of size and speed makes him a problem for defenders. His defensive work has never been a problem and makes Arsenal a chore to try and advance the ball against. His understanding with his teammates has really grown with him being a nice link player and also them starting to understand and anticipate the runs that he likes to make.
What has been missing was him turning that into more shots. Well in this match he made sure to do that, having a career day with his 9 shots and the last one the most important one converting the mishit Odegaard shot for the winning goal.
There will be more on this in the coming weeks but Havertz emergence as this type of player leading the attack could certainly change the plans that Arsenal have in the summer transfer window and that is a good problem to have.
Thanks Scott for a great season of coverage!
thanks to you, scott, for putting this together!
with regards to martinelli, saka and trossard. we need all three of these players;
and one more winger who can beat players one on one.
we still need another attacking/creative midfielder. i hope esr can get the nod.
rice is great, but as a 6, not an 8, and certainly not as a 10.
the backfield is in great shape. if timber can play at the level he has shown in his
2 appearances, he's the man!