Arsenal One third of the season review

Just over three months into the season (6 months more to come!) and almost one third of the PL fixtures played, is perhaps a good time to have an initial review of how we are doing.

I will start with some facts and figures

We have played 19 games in total (12 in the PL), winning 13 (8 in the PL), drawing 3 (all in the PL) and losing 3 (1 in the PL, in dubious circumstances away to Newcastle). We have scored 38 goals (26 in the PL) and conceded 17 (10 in the PL), though we have played 7 home games and 5 away (Man City and Spurs have played 5 home and 7 away, Liverpool 6 and 6).

Arsenal are third in the PL table (1 point behind Man City) and on goal difference behind Liverpool. We are top of our (admittedly not very difficult) Champions League group, but have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup. We have 14 different players who have scored goals in all competitions (13 in the PL, which I think is the highest number of any team). We have the joint best defence in the PL and are fifth top scorers in the PL. We are the third youngest PL squad. We have ten players who have played 10 or more PL games so far, suggesting a relatively settled team.

We have had two red cards this season in the PL (only 4 teams have more than us) and 16 yellow cards (the lowest in the PL). I cannot find the statistics on which clubs in the PL have had the most injuries this season, but my guess is that we are around average – some other teams (Newcastle, Spurs etc) have definitely suffered more. We have had Timber out for the whole season; Partey out for more than half the season; and Jesus for just under half the season so far (that’s three first team starters).

Personal Assessment

I think before the season started, most of us would have been happy to be one point behind probably the best club team in the world - Man City - in the PL, and top of our CL group, at this point in the season.

Our defence has been particularly impressive (especially given the loss of Timber before the PL even started ). And while our attack has been less exciting this season, we have failed to score in just one game out of 19 (Newcastle). I agree with most people that we are one top quality attacker short. We have only been able to play our first choice midfield trio (Rice, Partey, Odegaard) in a handful of games. Partey needs to be replaced – ideally this January.

Of the new players: Timber gave a tantalising glimpse of what he may be capable of before his ACL injury; Rice has been consistently commanding; Trossard has been very good; Raya and Havertz on the other hand have been inconsistent (though I don’t share the totally negative view that some people have about Havertz).

I think our squad and subs bench is stronger than last season and while ideally we would have two world beaters in every position on the pitch, in the real world our subs have made a big difference in lots of games this season. I think it’s a pity that so few Academy players have made it on to the bench or into the team so far – perhaps if we beat Lens and top the CL group, we can remedy that against PSV.

I’d agree that we are not as attractive to watch as last season but in the end results count more than aesthetics. And we are much mentally tougher than last season. This is the toughest league in the world and the standard of the top dozen teams has risen again this year – top teams are losing to others more than in past years. We are one point away from being top of the PL and we have beaten the leaders Man City twice this season for goodness sake ! The player ratings on AT are consistently lower than on all the other websites – people here seem to be unduly harsh on our team.

I think the January window and how quickly Timber can return will probably determine where we finish in the PL this season. I think it will be in the top 3 but probably City will win again. I can’t see us winning the CL but wouldn’t be surprised if we got as far as the semi-finals, depending on the draw.

 What do you think ? How would you rate main players so far this season?