Arsenal
Premier League Team-by-Team Review- By The Numbers: Looking At The Attack
As the dust settles on a highly entertaining Premier League campaign and Arsenal winning the FA Cup to finally end their trophy drought(and also “Since Arsenal last won a trophy” jokes), let us look at some of the numbers posted by the teams and try to make some sense out of it. Some of these statistics are well known to anyone who follows football seriously. We will try to compare these numbers with last season’s numbers to see if teams have improved, regressed or stayed the same.
Attack
The table below shows some of the numbers posted by all the twenty Premier League teams in the 2013-14 season.(These numbers are only for the Premier League and do not take into account performances in the cup competitions)
- Manchester City created the highest number of chances in the league: 533. This is just 28 more than the last season’s created chances-505. But, in a clear indicator that the champions are much more efficient than last season, they scored 36 goals more than last season: 102 compared to 66.
- Manchester City’s Conversion Rate (Goals/ SoT) of 42.7% is the highest in the league.
- Runners-up Liverpool created 488 chances this season. Surprisingly, they created 505 chances last season. Like Manchester City, Liverpool too scored a significantly higher number of goals this season: 101 this season; 71 last season.
- Liverpool’s improved goalscoring owes a lot to a massive improvement in Shot Accuracy. At 40.1% it is the second highest in the league. More pertinently, this is an improvement of nearly 10 percentage points when compared to last season. In fact, last season, Liverpool had more shots last season than this season: 648 in 2013-14 compared to 739 in 2012-13.
- Shots on Target too saw an increase from 232 last season to 260. Liverpool’s Conversion Rate of 38.8% is the second highest late in the league.
- Chelsea created the second highest number of chances(506) in the Premier League. This is a significant increase from the 442 chances they created last summer.
- They also took the highest number of shots-692- this season. But unlike Manchester City and Liverpool, their Shot Accuracy is pretty poor; at 33.1% it is the joint lowest(along with Tottenham) among the top 10 teams. This certainly has something to do with the areas from which Chelsea are taking their shots.
- Last season, Chelsea had a Shot Accuracy of 33.8%. They had a total of 626 shots last season of which 212 were on target.
- With 71 goals from 229 shots on target, Chelsea’s Conversion Rate of 31% is much lower than the 42.7% and 38.8% posted by Manchester City and Chelsea.
- Last season, Chelsea scored 75 goals from 212 shots on target with a Conversion Rate of 35.3%.
- Arsenal created 403 chances this season. This is only the 7th highest in the Premier League. Everton(415), Tottenham(439) and even Newcastle United(420) created more chances than Arsenal.
- With a total of 521 shots, of which 212 were on target, Arsenal posted the highest Shot Accuracy of 40.7% in the league. This is probably indicative of the fact that Arsenal take more shots from within the 18-yard box.
- On the flip side, Arsenal’s total number of shots(521) is only the 9th highest in the Premier League. While this number as such does not explain anything, the number of shots taken by Arsenal has been on the decline for the past 5 seasons. As we will see later, they have also been conceding more shots over the past 5 seasons. This, possibly, explains, Arsene Wenger’s recent comments about wanting his team to improve its offensive potential.
- Tottenham created 439 chances this season; last season, they created 514 chances. Even accounting for the sale of Gareth Bale and managerial changes it is a staggering drop.
- Tottenham, with 55 goals this season, scored 11 more last season(66).
- Everton, who have improved “stylistically” under Roberto Martinez, created 415 chances this season; last season they created 486.
- Tottenham’s Conversion Rate of 28.5% is only higher than Norwich, Fulham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace. 51% of their shots are taken from outside the 18-yard box. These shots have a low probability of hitting the target.
- Manchester United created 387 chances this season; last season, they created 438 chances. Last season they scored 86 goals; this season they scored 64 goals.
- In 2013-14 United took 525 shots of which 184 were on target; in 2012-13 they took 561 shots on target of which 212 were on target.
- Manchester United made an astonishingly high number of crosses this season: 964. This is the highest in the league by some margin. The next highest is 764 by Manchester City.
- Stoke City, who have changed their style of play under Mark Hughes, created 327 chances this season; last season they created 282. In 2013-14 they scored 45 goals compared to 34 goals scored in 2012-13 under Tony Pulis.
- This improvement on the attacking side of things has come at the cost of a slight regression in their defensive performances. They conceded 7 goals more this season(52) compared to last season(45). Stoke also have the lowest number of headed goals-2- this season. Last season they had 10.
- Newcastle United took more shots than Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United and Southampton but have lesser Shots on Target compared to all these teams. There Shot Accuracy stands at 32.2%
- Compounding matters further, they have the second worst Conversion Rate in the league: 23.2%. They have 43 goals from a 185 shots on target. With 54% shots taken from outside the box they lead the league in terms of this parameter. From the 310 shots taken from this zone, they scored 8 goals.
- Crystal Palace’s goal tally of 33 is the second lowest in the league. Cardiff City are the worst with only 28 goals.
- Crystal Palace took 413 shots which is the lowest in the league. But their Shot Accuracy of 34.4% is the 7th highest in the league. In contrast, their Conversion rate of 23.2% is the joint second worst in the league.
- Of the relegated sides, Cardiff City created the least number of chances in the league: 297. Interestingly, Hull City-who survived comfortably-too created the same number of chances. That is down to Hull City’s defence which conceded 53 goals compared to Cardiff’s 74. We will look at this in another article.
- Norwich City, who were the lowest scoring side of the league with 28 goals, created more chances(343) than Crystal Palace, Hull City, West Ham United, Aston Villa, Fulham and Cardiff City.
- They also took more shots than all the above mentioned teams. Their Conversion Rate of 18.9% though is the lowest in the league by a considerable margin. Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are the next best with a Conversion Rate of 23.2%.
- Fulham had the 6th highest Shot Accuracy at 34.6%.
- Their conversion rate of 26.8% is also the highest among the relegated sides. Their relegation can be better explained by looking at their defensive numbers which we shall do in the next article.
Stats are compiled by Chaitanya Gööner with the help from squawka & whoscored
Arsenal
Arsenal Under-21s Defeat London Bees in Encouraging Pre-Season Friendly as Academy Prospects Continue Development Trajectory
Arsenal Women’s Under-21s secured a 1-0 victory against London Bees in entertaining pre-season friendly, with England Under-17 international Cairo Antoine providing the decisive goal following excellent centre-back Millie Marriott diagonal pass.
The match demonstrated contrasting performance levels across both halves, with Arsenal controlling the opening period before London Bees emerged as genuine threat during the second half, providing balanced assessment of the young squad’s competitive readiness.
Arsenal’s academy prospects including Bella Cowley, Marriott and Antoine demonstrated genuine quality throughout the fixture, establishing themselves as emerging talent deserving continued senior investment. Amy Liddiard’s clean sheet performance as goalkeeper suggests meaningful first-team pathway potential despite currently occupying third-choice position behind established senior goalkeepers.
Young Prospects Display Genuine Elite Development Markers
Antoine, Cowley and Marriott all impressed throughout the fixture, demonstrating the technical quality and tactical intelligence required for elite-level competition. That performance level suggests these academy graduates continue progressing appropriately through development structures, though significant adaptation remains required before consistent senior contribution becomes realistic expectation.
The presence of England Under-19 manager John Solomon alongside first-team youngster Sophie Harwood suggests genuine institutional monitoring of these young talents’ developmental progression.
Academy Development Requires Sustained Patience Rather Than Immediate Promotion
The clear assessment emerges that these academy prospects, despite impressive showings, remain two to three years away from delivering consistent senior contribution within championship and Champions League competition. That developmental timeline reflects realistic expectations regarding the substantial gap between elite Under-21 football and genuine senior elite competition demanding sustained consistency.
This fixture feels strategically important for Arsenal’s institutional philosophy. Rather than forcing premature academy advancement, they maintain patient developmental approach recognising these young players’ genuine quality alongside realistic assessment of their competitive readiness limitations. Liddiard’s interesting case regarding goalkeeping hierarchy warrants first-team pre-season exposure, potentially accelerating her development pathway while maintaining squad depth security.
Arsenal
Charlton Athletic Women Confirm Arsenal Pre-Season Friendly as Final Preparation Before Liverpool League Opener
Charlton Athletic Women have confirmed their final pre-season fixture against Arsenal Women at Meadow Park on Wednesday, August 26, at 7 pm BST, providing elite opposition testing ahead of their inaugural Women’s Super League campaign.
The friendly represents crucial preparation opportunity enabling Charlton to assess their competitive readiness against established championship-level opposition immediately before their domestic campaign commences.
Charlton’s Women’s Super League debut begins the following week against Liverpool at The Valley on Sunday September 6, establishing their first competitive fixture as newly promoted club enters elite-level football. That compressed pre-season schedule provides limited preparation timeframe for Karen Hills’ squad to implement tactical philosophies whilst integrating their summer recruitment additions.
Arsenal Provide Elite Preparation Benchmark
Arsenal’s Meadow Park venue provides familiar Arsenal Women home environment, enabling the Gunners to utilise their established training and match-day infrastructure whilst testing Charlton’s competitive foundation. That fixture represents genuine championship-level testing opportunity essential for newly promoted teams requiring clear perception regarding their competitive standing against established elite performers.
The pre-season arrangement appears deliberately scheduled to provide maximum preparation value immediately preceding Charlton’s genuine league campaign commencement.
Season Ticket Availability Enables Fan Engagement
Charlton have confirmed fixed season ticket pricing at £80 for their inaugural Women’s Super League campaign, providing supporters accessible pricing structure supporting consistent matchday attendance throughout their championship journey. That affordable pricing suggests deliberate fan engagement strategy supporting community investment in their historic league elevation.
This fixture schedule feels strategically important for Charlton’s competitive foundation. Rather than purely ceremonial pre-season preparation, the Arsenal friendly provides elite testing enabling Hill’s assessment of her squad’s genuine competitive readiness.
That structured approach combined with accessible season ticket pricing suggests genuine commitment toward supporting their Women’s Super League establishment through comprehensive fan engagement and competitive preparation.
Also read: Wales Duo Olivia Francis and Ellen Jones Join Wolves Following Promotion to Women’s Super League 2
Arsenal
Arsenal Sign Spain Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez From Real Madrid on Free Transfer as Seventh Summer Addition Arrives
Arsenal have secured Spanish international goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez from Real Madrid on a free transfer, completing their seventh summer signing as the Gunners continue substantial squad reconstruction.
The 27-year-old stopper arrives following established elite-level experience accumulated across six years with Real Madrid, establishing herself as the club’s record appearance holder with 215 competitive matches across all competitions.
Rodríguez brings genuine world-class credentials through World Cup success alongside UEFA Nations League triumph with Spain, demonstrating proven capability competing against elite international opposition. Her trajectory from Atlético Madrid’s three-time championship success through Real Madrid’s established dominance suggests sustained excellence across demanding competitive environments, establishing a foundation for her anticipated contribution at Arsenal.
World Cup Winner Joins Arsenal Championship Challenge
Rodríguez expressed genuine pride regarding her Arsenal appointment, specifically emphasising the club’s elite status within global football while committing toward trophy competition and competitive success. Her language suggests authentic enthusiasm regarding competing within championship-winning environment, indicating genuine belief in Arsenal’s competitive trajectory rather than viewing the transfer as career consolidation move.
The goalkeeper’s emphasis upon making history alongside supporters suggests emotional investment in Arsenal’s project beyond pure professional obligation, indicating potential for sustained commitment during her north London tenure.
Arsenal Accumulate Substantial Attacking Investment
Rodríguez becomes Arsenal’s seventh summer signing, representing remarkable recruitment activity focused upon attacking reinforcement and defensive depth across multiple positions. Rather than incremental squad adjustments, Arsenal pursue transformative reconstruction suggesting serious championship ambitions moving forward.
This signing feels genuinely ambitious for Arsenal’s competitive positioning. Rodríguez arrives as established world-class performer during peak years, providing immediate starting-level quality while offering tactical flexibility through her proven elite-level mentality. Arsenal’s accumulation of world-class talent suggests genuine determination to challenge Manchester City’s dominance, positioning them as genuine championship contenders for the forthcoming campaign.
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