Arsenal Explosion Imminent

Note: Stats courtesy of AllThingsFPL. A brilliant site with insightful articles that also provides you with access to Opta statistics for FREE! 

Link: http://allthingsfpl.com/

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So, I was considering Alexis Sanchez as a transfer option this week and decided to do some digging on Arsenal’s statistics…

So far this season Arsenal have scored just 2 goals, the lowest number of goals scored in the league - not very impressive.

Although, in terms of statistics, Arsenal are the most attacking team in the league. Topping the league for Goal Attempts(61), Shots Inside the Box(43), Key Passes or Chances Created(49), 3rd highest number of Big Chances(5) and are 4th for Shots on Target(18). They are also top for possession in the league(61%).

Considering these impressive statistics, it’s quite surprising that they have only scored 2 goals so far, the joint lowest in the league. So, considering their free flowing football along with their goal scoring exploits last season(3rd highest scoring team), I think it’s fair to say that we can expect their number of goals scored to increase significantly over the coming weeks.  

With new, STK, lei, and wat in their next 6, a nice run of fixtures could be just what Arsenal need to convert their league-topping statistics into actual output in the form of goals scored. My suggestion from the Gunners would be Alexis Sanchez, who has been very unlucky not to have scored so far this season – hitting the post on multiple occasions over the last 3 weeks. I think it won’t be long before he comes up with a huge score in FPL, and should rack up the points over the next 6 weeks - definitely a top transfer target, in my opinion, and one to classify under "Explosion Imminent".

A Chelsea Resurgence???

Note: Stats courtesy of AllThingsFPL. A brilliant site with insightful articles that also provides you with access to Opta statistics for FREE! 

Link: http://allthingsfpl.com/

Early Season Chelsea Blues? Not for long...

After a disappointing start to the season with 1 draw and 1 loss in the first two weeks, conceding 5 goals and scoring 2 in the process, lots of Chelsea assets were ditched. I myself ridding myself of Courtois leaving me with 0 Chelsea.

Although, being the defending EPL champions this was never bound to be a long term problem, and I believe we are starting to see a resurgence.

These are big conclusions from a very small sample size of data, but nevertheless, conclusions can still be drawn even though they may be premature or inaccurate.

Anyway, here are some numbers for Chelsea comparing their first two weeks, to their first.

Using an average of the first two weeks:

ATTACK

Goal Attempts
GW 1+2: 10.5
GW 3: 15
43% improvement

Shots On Target
GW 1+2: 3
GW 3: 5
66% improvement

Big Chances
GW 1+2 : 0
GW 3: 2
~% improvement

Key Passes or Created Chances
GW 1+2: 7.5
GW 3: 13
73% improvement

Like I said, I’m only using 1 week to compare with the first 2, and in total it’s only been 3 GWs worth of data so far, so it’s not much. My judgements based on these may not necessarily be accurate, but what I personally take from them is that Chelsea are starting to pick up form. They’re beginning to work in attack, and actually their horrible defensive numbers of GW 1 & 2 are improving as well, based on this small sample size.

GW 4 fixture up next: CPL at home. Coming up against one of the worst defensive sides in the league, I think it’s the perfect fixture for Chelsea to finally show up this season, and I believe it might be smart to invest in some Blues assets ahead of the weekend's games.

Keep your Hazards and consider some Pedros! Costa another great differential too!