An investigation into Arsenal’s shot selection and quality, how it stacks up to primary trophy rivals, and what can be done to improve in the years ahead
What was particularly interesting was the number of blocked shots because it confirmed what I believed I was seeing but without having data to back it up. Might this be linked to some extent to the relative speed by which our attack has been constructed or the ball switched from one side to the other? Intuitively, one feels that the ability of the opposition to fix its defence, particularly if a massed low block, would be a factor. I don’t want to too negative here but I think my more general point is that we are what we are. Yes, we may integrate other players over time with a better “long distance” ball striking skill set, but I’m not sure that’s our identity at the moment. That being said, I’ve been advocating for a while that Saka in particular should be playing much more as an inside right because he has elite ball striking capacity. Similarly, the much maligned Martinelli. Anyway, brilliant article yet again Billy!!
Like this. Beyond success on the long shots themselves, feel like we need to shoot enough with enough quality that they'll respect the shot. And hence open up the space and reduce the congestion in the box.
Reminds me a bit of basketball, where if people respect your 3 pointer and snatch at it, well you can just walk in and get a lay-up. Seem to remember that the Golden State dynasty shot diet had a huge amount of layups in it because the paint was never congested!
Benji Sesko's explosive ball-striking is such a salivating "easy" answer to the question of "who can just thwack this shit in the bag from the central zone?" From my own bullshit observations, it feels like Healthy Gabriel Jesus' ball-striking improves when deployed from that more-barren left side. Play both and prosper? Idk man but I'm antsy to beef up the options in the artillery and go Cannons Forward next season.
Hello Billy, I’ve attempted – and failed – to send a direct message to you other than through your latest post, so please excuse this approach. Anyway…, not sure if you’re looking at areas to "deep dive", but given our hectic (and alarming) 24/25 season schedule, I would be really interested to see your take on metrics – if they’re available – on distances covered and sprints made by key Arsenal players and whether this is impacted by our style of play. My starting point is whether “domination/control” as a style of play and objective might have a statistically valid mitigating effect on over tired legs/susceptibility to injury, and a means of militating against the dreaded burnout. Perhaps this is impossible to show – and I realise that every player’s physiology is different – but there may be something here. This being said, injury prone players are by definition prone to injuries (!) and that is probably the most important factor here. Keep up the brilliant writing and prose!
There's an analogy in poker. You have to bet on some of your weaker hands to increase the power of your stronger hands.
Yes, that’s great.
Looking forward to how this analysis factors into your thoughts on a potential striker transfer this summer!
What was particularly interesting was the number of blocked shots because it confirmed what I believed I was seeing but without having data to back it up. Might this be linked to some extent to the relative speed by which our attack has been constructed or the ball switched from one side to the other? Intuitively, one feels that the ability of the opposition to fix its defence, particularly if a massed low block, would be a factor. I don’t want to too negative here but I think my more general point is that we are what we are. Yes, we may integrate other players over time with a better “long distance” ball striking skill set, but I’m not sure that’s our identity at the moment. That being said, I’ve been advocating for a while that Saka in particular should be playing much more as an inside right because he has elite ball striking capacity. Similarly, the much maligned Martinelli. Anyway, brilliant article yet again Billy!!
Like this. Beyond success on the long shots themselves, feel like we need to shoot enough with enough quality that they'll respect the shot. And hence open up the space and reduce the congestion in the box.
Reminds me a bit of basketball, where if people respect your 3 pointer and snatch at it, well you can just walk in and get a lay-up. Seem to remember that the Golden State dynasty shot diet had a huge amount of layups in it because the paint was never congested!
Really enjoyed this, thank you ☺️
Benji Sesko's explosive ball-striking is such a salivating "easy" answer to the question of "who can just thwack this shit in the bag from the central zone?" From my own bullshit observations, it feels like Healthy Gabriel Jesus' ball-striking improves when deployed from that more-barren left side. Play both and prosper? Idk man but I'm antsy to beef up the options in the artillery and go Cannons Forward next season.
lmao
Hello Billy, I’ve attempted – and failed – to send a direct message to you other than through your latest post, so please excuse this approach. Anyway…, not sure if you’re looking at areas to "deep dive", but given our hectic (and alarming) 24/25 season schedule, I would be really interested to see your take on metrics – if they’re available – on distances covered and sprints made by key Arsenal players and whether this is impacted by our style of play. My starting point is whether “domination/control” as a style of play and objective might have a statistically valid mitigating effect on over tired legs/susceptibility to injury, and a means of militating against the dreaded burnout. Perhaps this is impossible to show – and I realise that every player’s physiology is different – but there may be something here. This being said, injury prone players are by definition prone to injuries (!) and that is probably the most important factor here. Keep up the brilliant writing and prose!