The stats behind Arsenal’s brilliant start to the season

This time last year we were hearing crisis talks about Arsenal as they were winless in their first three matches of the 21/22 season and sat in the relegation zone. 

Things can change quickly in football though and after three gameweeks in the Premier League, they currently sit top of the table with a flawless record. 

Is Arsenal’s impressive start sustainable or is it just a flash in the pan? 

 

Goalscoring threat 

The biggest plaudits Arsenal have received so far this season relate to their attacking prowess and how fluid they now look in the final third. 

Last season Arsenal were fairly wasteful in front of goal as they ranked 10th in the Premier League for goal per shot ratio with a 0.09 conversion rate. 

While we are working with a smaller sample size so far this season, the numbers have dramatically increased. 

So far in the Premier League, only Brentford have been more clinical with taking their chances than Arsenal have. 

The Gunners have a goal per shot ratio of 0.19 and they have the second highest xG per 90 at 1.80 goals. 

Individually there is no doubt that this Arsenal side have improved, but collectively Arteta has evolved the team from where they were last season. 

Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba, Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard have all overperformed their individual xG so far this season and this further highlights how clinical they have been. 

Given they are still interested in signing another forward in this transfer window, Arsenal certainly won’t be short of fire-power this season. 

 

Defensive improvements 

Defensively Arsenal have also improved since last season. 

They have kept clean sheets against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth and they rank seventh in the Premier League for xG conceded per 90 with 1.24. 

Last season Arsenal clearly had problems at the back as they conceded 1.26 goals per game and their defence ranked 8th in the Premier League.  

Aaron Ramsdale was the third biggest Premier League goalkeeper underachiever last season with a 4.6 xG goal underperformance. 

William Saliba has spent the last three seasons out on loan and he has had quite the impact this season as he has been brought back into the frame. 

Mikel Arteta’s preferred defensive partnership so far has been Saliba alongside Gabriel. 

Arsenal have limited their opponents to an xG per 90 of just 0.60, which is currently the best in the Premier League. 

When you consider they were averaging an xG of 1.24 against them last season, this highlights just how much they have improved defensively. 

 

What’s possible for Arsenal this season? 

Given how they were in the driving seat for a top four finish last season and they ultimately fell short, that will be this season’s main objective. 

The Premier League has already proven to be quite unpredictable this season though as the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United have all looked off the pace so far. 

Arsenal are the only side in the Premier League to have won each of their opening three matches and the longer this run goes on, the more confidence will grow. 

Arsenal have two home fixtures coming up next against Fulham and Aston Villa and given how the Gunners have started the season, you wouldn’t bet against them picking up six points from their next two. 

As well as the Premier League, Arsenal will also have the Europa League to contend with this season. 

The depth Arsenal have added to their squad this summer with help them with the extra load of games, but time will tell if this has an influence on their Premier League campaign.