Arsenal: A Trio of Power, Precision, and Creativity
July 26, 2023
The shield in Arsenal's midfield, Declan Rice, brings a blend of tenacity and technicality. His overall rating stands impressively at 7.01. Rice's remarkable 88 progressive carries, far exceeding the league average of 23.1, reveal his ability to drive the team forward. Not to mention his exceptional defensive numbers: 79 tackles, 38 successful tackles, 45 blocks, and 63 interceptions, all surpassing league averages, attest to his ability to halt opposing attacks. Rice's work ethic is further exemplified by his 334 recoveries, underlining his knack for winning back possession.
Rice is marginally better in defensive duels, forward pass accuracy and ball carrying. Partey is much better in progressive passes and forward passes. This is to be taken with a grain of salt though as West Ham had just 62.2% of Arsenal's Total Progressive Passes last season.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz, a maestro in Arsenal's attacking play, is renowned for his creativity and technical skills. His overall rating of 6.75 reflects his consistent performances. Havertz has registered 59 progressive carries and 60 attempted take-ons, illustrating his ability to navigate through defenses. His SCA90 stands at 2.21, above the Premier League average, indicative of his significant role in creating opportunities for Arsenal.
Some of Havertzs best attributes are his Aerial duels per 90 and Passes received per 90 and even though this plot shows us other strikers, Havertz will play slightly deeper with Arsenal and so having these key attributes is great to have.
Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard, a creative powerhouse, completes Arsenal's midfield trio. Boasting a stellar rating of 7.29, Ødegaard's offensive contributions are central to Arsenal's play. He has made 83 progressive carries, well above the league average. His SCA90 of 4.69 and GCA90 of 0.49, far surpass the league averages, showcasing his key role in creating and converting opportunities into goals.
When compared to the other two best attacking midfielders in the league you can see he is very similar and has a lot of comparable stats to both Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne. Having much better forward pass completion rate than both.
The Combined Force
Rice, Havertz, and Ødegaard together form a formidable midfield. Rice's defensive steel provides a solid base, freeing Havertz and Ødegaard to exercise their creativity. Havertz's chance-creating ability complemented by Ødegaard's goal contributions make Arsenal a potent force in attack. The blend of Rice's defensive resilience, Havertz's vision, and Ødegaard's attacking flair creates a balanced and dynamic midfield, making Arsenal a team to watch out for in the Premier League.
