Daily Bits and Bobs

Arsenal are simply not improving! Walcott & Mahrez swap on the cards?

Posted on by rico

Written by Merlin96

 

A comparison of our 2015/16 season with seasons gone by is tabulated below.

Season … Finish .. W …. D …. L …… F ….. A … +/- … Points

Highbury era

1997/98 ….. 1st …. 23 ….. 9 ….. 6 … 68 … 33 … 35 … 78 points
2001/02 ….. 1st …. 26 ….. 9 ..… 3 … 79 … 36 … 43 … 87 points
2003/04 ….. 1st …. 26 … 12 ….. 0 … 73 … 26 … 47 … 90 points

Emirates era

2006/07 ….. 4th …. 19 … 11 ….. 8 … 63 … 35 … 28 … 68 points
2007/08 ….. 3rd .… 24 … 11 ….. 3 … 74 … 31 … 43 … 83 points
2008/09 ….. 4th …. 20 … 12 ….. 6 … 68 … 37 … 31 … 72 points
2009/10 ….. 3rd …. 23 ….. 6 ….. 9 … 83 … 41 … 42 … 75 points
2010/11 ….. 4th …. 19 … 11 ….. 8 … 72 … 43 … 29 … 68 points
2011/12 ….. 3rd …. 21 ….. 7 … 10 … 74 … 49 … 25 … 70 points
2012/13 ….. 4th …. 20 … 10 ….. 7 … 72 … 37 … 35 … 73 points
2013/14 ….. 4th …. 24 ….. 7 ….. 7 … 68 … 41 … 27 … 79 points
2014/15 ….. 3rd …. 22 ….. 9 ….. 7 … 71 … 36 … 35 … 75 points
2015/16 ….. 2nd …. 20 … 11 ….. 7 … 65 … 36 … 29 … 71 points – after Round
2016/17 ….. 3rd …. 22 … 10 ….. 6 … 74 … 31 … 43 … 76 points – optimistic prediction
2016/17 …… 1st …. 26 ….. 9 ….. 3 … 83 … 31 … 52 … 87 points – enough to win the title?

Having spent around £100m to buy Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck, Cech and Elneny, one interesting fact from above table is that our performance has not improved, certainly not since 2012/13 season as the team consistently clock up 7 losses and 7, 9, 10 or 11 draws! On this kind on form, we are not good enough to be a serious title-contender, only a serial top four finisher with a good chance to finish 3rd or 2nd and your Bet365 Bonus code should be used elsewhere.

My expectation for 2016/17 season?

· 26 wins and 3 losses should be sufficient to win 2016/17 title.
· KPI for Arsene Wenger is to improve from 2015/16 season with 22 wins or more, and 6 or fewer losses.

2015/16 goal scoring prowess as tabulated below:

Total Games Played … … … Games … … … … … … … Total Goal

Season … CL … FA … CC … Played _ W …. D ….. L … Scored … Average per Game

1997/98 ….. 2 … 9 ….. 5 … … 54 … … 33 … 14 … 07 ….. 89 … … ….. 1.65 goal
2001/02 … 12 … 7 ….. 3 … … 60 … … 39 … 11 … 10 … 118 … … ….. 1.97 goal
2003/04 … 10 … 5 ….. 5 … … 58 … … 37 … 14 … 07 … 113 … … ….. 1.95 goal

Emirates Era

2006/07 … 10 … 5 ….. 6 … … 59 … … 35 … 17 … 07 ….. 98 … … ….. 1.66 goal
2007/08 … 12 … 3 ….. 5 … … 58 … … 36 … 15 … 07 … 113 … … ….. 1.95 goal
2008/09 … 14 … 6 ….. 3 … … 61 … … 34 … 16 … 11 … 113 … … ….. 1.85 goal
2009/10 … 12 … 2 ….. 3 … … 55 … … 33 … 09 … 13 … 116 … … ….. 2.11 goal
2010/11 … 08 … 6 ….. 6 … … 58 … … 31 … 13 … 14 … 119 … … ….. 2.05 goal
2011/12 … 10 … 3 ….. 3 … … 54 … … 31 … 09 … 14 ….. 96 … … ….. 1.78 goal
2012/13 … 08 … 4 ….. 3 … … 53 … … 29 … 12 … 12 … 105 … … ….. 1.98 goal
2013/14 … 10 … 6 ….. 2 … … 56 … … 37 … 08 … 11 ….. 99 … … ….. 1.77 goal
2014/15 … 10 … 7 ….. 1 … … 56 … … 35 … 11 … 10 … 109 … … ….. 1.95 goal
2015/16 … 08 … 6 ….. 2 … … 54 … … 28 … 12 … 14 ….. 91 … … ….. 1.69 goal

This indicates to me that during the post Fabregas era, the team has been mediocre. It’s been knocked out of cup competitions regularly at an early stage, (the two FA Cup wins are an exception to the rule since 2005/06 season) and have played an average of 54 games per season since 2011/12.

We let slip the 2015/16 title due to the lack of consistent goal scoring players as clearly shown above. Yet again, we couldn’t even manage to score in excess of 100 goals yet goal scoring prowess can and will convert draws into wins and losses into draws.

Let’s not blame our defence with only Man Utd and the Tiny Totts conceding fewer goals than us as indicated “goals conceded” below:

· 34 – ManU
· 35 – Tiny Totts
· 36 – Leicester City
· 36 – Arsenal
· 41 – Abu Dhabi City
· 41 – Southampton
· 50 – Liverpool
· 51 – West Ham United
· 53 – Chelski

During the Fabregas era, we had three deadly forwards in Van Persie, Adebayor, Eduardo, supported by Bendtner and Walcott. Plus then, we have three creative play makers in Fabregas, Hleb and Rosicky.

2015/16 season?

We had only one forward in Giroud who scores a consistent 15+ league goals per season. Alexis, Walcott and Campbell are inconsistent and our problems were compounded by Alexis and Welbeck being injured for parts of the season.

We only have one brilliant play maker in Mesut Ozil. Cazorla, out injured for a long time, didn’t manage to score a single league goal. Ramsey and OX are over-hyped and both failed to pull their weight this season. Iwobi is still too raw and not fully developed yet.

Playing Tippy-Tappy Football with languid square and backward passes to retain possession will not produce goals and imo, Arsenal need a lot more from their attacking midfielder’s. Ideally, our goals scored would be something like:

· 50% from forwards.
· 40% from midfield.
· 10% from defence and “own goal”.

One of the reasons why we failed to win 2015/16 title is the appalling failure of our midfield players to score goals, contributing a measly 19 goals in all competitions.

Strikers contributed ….. 67.03% … 61 goals.
Midfield contributed …… 20.88% … 19 goals.
Defence contributed ….. 8.79% ……. 8 goals.
“Dubious goal”……………… 3.30% ……. 3 goals.

….. 2 goals scored = 1.00 goals per game in 2 League Cup games
… 11 goals scored = 1.83 goals per game in 6 FA Cup games (including Charity Shield)
… 13 goals scored = 1.63 goals per game in 8 CL Cup games
… 65 goals scored = 1.71 goals per game in 36 League games

Maximum no. of games played = 38 + 6 FA Cup + 2 Tin Cup + (6+2) CL Cup = 54 games.
91 goals scored in 54 matches played = averaging 1.69 goal per game.

The below list is our total goals scored in all competitions and by whom:

01) Giroud………………………24 goals
02) Alexis……………………….17 goals
03) Walcott……………………..09 goals
04) Ozil ………………………….08 goals
05) Ramsey…………………….06 goals
06) Welbeck…………………… 05 goals
07) Joel Campbell ……………04 goals
08) Koscielny ………………….04 goals
09) “Dubious Goal” ………….03 goals
10) Flamini ……………………..02 goals
11) Iwobi…………………………02 goals
12) OX …………………………..02 goals
13) Gibbs………………………..01 goal
14) Gabriel ……………………..01 goal
15) Chambers………………….01 goal
16) Elneny……………………….01 goal
17) Bellerin…………………….. 01 goal

Since the start of the Arsene Wenger era, we have failed to score 120 goals or more in any one season. The closest being 119 goals!

That’s not good enough to win the Premier League, not these days…..

Transfer gossip:

Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli has stirred the pot on Twitter with a cracker.

 “Arsenal and Leicester new meeting for Mahrez. Ranieri has asked about Walcott, but the player is not interested.”

Can’t say I blame Theo really, although the style of football Leicester play would suit his game imo, as he’s set in London, he’s on £140k a week and that’s all for having a gentle jog around on a football pitch every now and again. I’m not sure I’d want to move from the capital up north where is cold, damp and grim. I’m sure Leicester is a lovely place but it’s not London is it.

If I was him, I’d stay too but if I was Arsene Wenger, if the player is not in his plans, I’d make it very clear that he’s got to find another club, and soon.

rico

88 thoughts on “Arsenal are simply not improving! Walcott & Mahrez swap on the cards?”

  1. rico says:

    Thanks for the post Merlin, although I’m now exhausted… 😉

    The moral of the story is, we need to play better football and score more goals, especially from midfield…..

    Morning all..

  2. allezkev says:

    It’s all very well and good us saying we’ll sell this player or that player, but you can’t force out a player who doesn’t want to leave, we had it with Kanu and a few others.

    Wenger may have tired of Theo, but Theo has it cushty, he’s comfortable in London with his inflated salary, why should he leave?

  6. Merlin96 says:

    Good day all!

    Hi Leon, we had signed Owen Goal but he is not shooting and instead passed the ball to death around the box.

    The more attempts at goal, the more Owen Goal will score.
    Unfortunately, he is out of favour and was benched by Arsene Wenger. 😀

  8. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Fine post Merlin. enjoyed reading it.

    One stat is missing though…….in 38 games we have hit the post/bar no fewer than 24 times. had those gone in we would have had different results…..and been crowned champions.

    Acording to NN….Xhaka has been pictured with the Arsenal shirt.

    And Sissoko is the next to follow.

  9. obi says:

    Good points, the numbers back up what most been saying here. Possession for the sake of possession and “tip-tip-tap ball” is not working. Btw it looks like Wenger finally replaced PV4 , Shaka (Zulu) is gonna be loved by arsenal fans; fellas just give him time to adjust. Knowing Wenger, so it looks like he’s in for MA, Elneny was for Flamini, so now he needs to replace Rosicky (get a play maker – but knowing wenger thats Iwobi), get a striker, a proper winger, CB, sell Theo and Ox. And there will be hope for next season…..OK just dreaming.

  11. Merlin96 says:

    Thanks for your comments HR Devil.
    I will try to keep track on shots hitting the post as well.

    OX?
    I believe it is best he leaves to further his career elsewhere with a playing style that suits him.
    He will not make it at Arsenal FC.

  13. Hell Raising Devil says:

    stats like that, which are painstakingly collected, will be very difficult to beat Merlin. Hat off to you mate.

    besides posts/bars hit, one can also add penalties denied. example against the dippers we had a pen which we did not get. that would have given us another points.

  18. Adam says:

    Morata, Kante and another proper striker plus a CB and a deputy RB perhaps Rico and I might buy another season. 🙂

  19. rico says:

    Mahrez Adam, I really hope we get him…

    What about the left back? Surely you won’t buy another ST without him… 😉

  20. Adam says:

    Rico. We have Nacho and Gibbs there. Mahrez? Possibly, but I am more interested in scoring goals because that’s what killed us last season.

  22. Adam says:

    Different leagues Rico. No, not really bothered about Gibbs though I don’t rate him as a left winger or a left sided midfielder. I like Morata. He’s a footballer.
    Giroud of course scores more goals than most but I would still out him. 🙂

  25. Adam says:

    Me too Rico, but our anticipation is tempered with the knowledge that Arsene is our manager and he doesn’t like too many changes. It’s all interesting fantasy but I see we are linked with Sissoko who, if I remember, is a favourite of yours. 🙂

  26. Micko says:

    Anywhere North of Watford rico and it’s starts to get a bit cold, damp and grim lol.

    Merlin, 19 measly goals from our midfield all season you say……food and drink to Freddie and Bobby.

  27. allezkev says:

    Zelalem starts for Glasgow Rangers
    Rangers take on Hibernian today in the Scottish Cup final.

    Rangers starting XI: Foderingham; Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace; Halliday, Zelalem, Holt; McKay, Waghorn, Miller.

    Rangers substitutes: Bell, Burt, Shiels, Law, Clark.

  29. potter says:

    Don’t know what happened to Gibbs , he’s morphed from an Ashley Cole style fast raiding fullback into a ponderous nervous player scared to cross the halfway line and when he does stops and plays the ball inside. It’s almost as if he has an earpiece and all he can hear is a French accent mumbling Possession , pass ,look inside for a man to give it too. If I recall correctly he has only gone into the opponents box once or twice . Once against Tottenham I think was quite handy.

  30. allezkev says:

    Gibbs needs to leave and play regularly.

    But we need a replacement in situ before he goes

  34. allezkev says:

    Anthony Stokes gave Hibernian the lead.

    Kenny Miller just equalised.

    Dean Shiels on Rangers’ bench.

  35. Le Coq Monster says:

    Not too happy with that last link I put up !………………rather cheap looking paving outside London Colney……..I expected Marble !.

  36. Le Coq Monster says:

    or some Cornish Granite !……………………………none of that cheap Swiss stuff !

  43. Joe says:

    Nice post merlin
    Afternoon all, Ramsey having a bad season didn’t help with our goals from midfield probably missed Carzola as well.
    Tsgh is going to be livid all those stats and he’s not involved.

  44. Marshall says:

    Number crunching post. It’ll take a while (or never) till I take them all in but yeah we need goals from everywhere. Funny with all the injuries since we moved to the emirates and our goals per game numbers look good. I think all we need most is a fit squad. Can the manager learn ti rotate too and keep the players fresh? Old dog

  45. Marshall says:

    The chap at arsenal.com doesn’t work on weekends? Waiting for the confirmation.

    Theo – Mahrez. LCFC will feel cheated!

  47. rico says:

    🙂 Joe..

    Walcott would fit in there though Marshall, well that’s if the tinkermans tactics haven’t already been sussed out…

  49. allezkev says:

    Walcott would probably do really well, imagine him and Vardy bombing on.

    Not sure Leicester would pay him £140k per week…

  50. Marshall says:

    Rico Walcott need alot of working on. As a winger Mahrez didn’t just run, he’d take on a fullback, a centre half and leave the rest to Vardy

    …would never say never though.

  52. rico says:

    And score himself Marshall, 17 goals or something like that I think. Imagine if our wingers/midfielders contributed so well….

    We can dream eh….

  58. allezkev says:

    Rangers were winning with Zelalem on the pitch. Took him off on 62 mins and Hibs win.

    Hibs fans seem to like a riot…

    COYEagles

  63. Micko says:

    Looks like Rooney is playing sweeper today ! Bodes well for Ingerlund next month.

    Well done Hibs.

  66. Joaquim Moreira says:

    English referees…
    Hibs won 🙂
    final sub-17: Spain-Portugal 1-1 at the 75th minute
    We need another central forward. Welbeck is next Diaby

  77. Micko says:

    Nite rico, they’ll probably announce Jose on Monday.

    Palace had only to hold out for 9 minutes today to lift the cup, back in 1990 it was 7 minutes, football can be a very cruel game sometimes.

  79. allezkev says:

    Mourinho,
    boring football, controversy, insults thrown at
    opponents/referees/Football Association/Wenger/Media,
    touch line antics, touch line suspensions, publicity stunts,
    yep, Mourinho and ManUre, a marriage made in heaven…

  84. Adam says:

    It is Rico.
    The pictures I have seen of Xhaka wearing the shirt look a bit iffy to me. Curiously and badly photoshopped. Perhaps it is just their limited quality.

  85. allezkev says:

    I wonder who we’ll sign this week, with Granit seemingly in the bag.

    With the Pernicious One going to to OT, we better get our finger out.
    The Portugese Prick does have a habit of nicking players we’re after whilst Wenger fannys about… ?

  88. bradster says:

    Morning all,

    Talented family, the Xhaka’s, they can’t both play the same role internationally so I guess Taulant got the short straw of representing Albania.

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