Today, we have a bit of a fun data run for you with the YouGov Chat button that a load of you have been playing with. We’ll talk about fan player ratings today.
I asked: Value a player from 1-5, 5 being the most valuable, 1 being not so valuable.
The numbers were very interesting. The sample size we had was about 500, which is pretty good going for a survey.
Let’s start with the: What do the fans think of the new signings?
As you’ll remember, there was a lot of ‘WE HAVEN’T MOVED THE NEEDLE BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW THESE PLAYERS’ after the transfers window. Well, we’re one game in and the average rating for the 6 new signings was 3.81. Which is really high considering the average value of the entire squad was 3.10. Take Nuno Tavares out, who hasn’t started a game yet, and the rating goes up to a whopping 3.97.
- White 3.95
- Ramsdale 3.98
- Tomiyasu 3.89
- Lokonga 3.85
- Tavares 3.03
- Odegaard 4.17
So what can we take from this? Well, it seems the fans like the players a lot after winning, but in general, knowing a lot of Arsenal fans and hearing a lot of opinions, I think the fans actually just like this new group of players. There will be ups and downs, there will be mistakes, but they all have talent and they’ll all get better as the season goes on. I also like that character is shining through. Tomiyasu is clearly a big personality in the dressing room, and I love to see Aaron Ramsdale making videos for kids that have suffered loss. It’s small things like this that you think are standard with footballers, but I can tell you, there are players that have been at Arsenal where that has not been the case.
The top 5 players the fans are loving at the moment are to be expected.
- Saka 4.88
- ESR 4.70
- Tierney 4.67
- Partey 4.66
- Odegaard 4.17
Nothing mind-blowing there, though I was surprised to see centre back Gabriel just outside the top 5, clearly his performance against Norwich struck a chord. Getting a little more specific? The average age of the top 5 players is 23, even with Thomas Partey stinking the joint out at the grand old age of 28. If you expand the group to the top 10 most valued Arsenal players, the age goes to 22.7.
What does this tell you?
That the fans are on board with the summer strategy, that they like the idea of a youthful squad, and hopefully they are willing deal with the ups and downs that will come as part of the learning process this season.
We wanted a Dortmund++ and we basically have it. The ++ comes from the fact that we buy expensive players to supplement our kids like Auba and Partey. It also differs from the German side because we’re buying elite young players with bundles of Premier League experience. But make no mistake, this is a similar model. We’re doing it this way because that’s the only way to compete. We can’t buy a Premier League winning team, we’ll have to grow it.
This comes with some ramifications. Fans will have to temper expectations of a league run this season (lol). They’ll also have to accept that young players have ups and downs. But long term, this was the only way to do things and I think that it’s a very likeable plan that 95% of fans will get behind. As Mike McDonald said yesterday, we just have to be patient with it, and remember to continue to be awesome fans in the ground like we have been in every game so far. Young players need to feel the love, when they do, they get better, and learn faster.
I don’t really want to get into the players the fans aren’t loving at the moment. It’s basically a mix of players that we’ve replaced, that won’t leave, or have big PR issues at the moment. Overall though, the message is positive. The fans like the new squad, they like the players, and the direction on paper seems to be pleasing fans.
Right, before I go, make sure you read the ‘WHAT THE HELL IS ARTETA DOING‘ article from yesterday. Mike is a successful British coach in America and he took the time out to explain what he thinks is going on at Arsenal and I thought it was excellent. The article is the most engaged article of the past year, I think it’s clear that it has opened a lot of minds to what the plan is, and it’s hard not to get behind the sentiment.
Now we have to hand the controls to Arteta. He has to deliver a result at the weekend. He has to continue the good work of Norwich at a very violent stadium. I can’t wait.
Also worth noting that Arteta has pivoted his messaging. Hearing him talk about a ‘very bright light’ at the end of a tunnel is what fans want to hear. He needs to be aggressive about this new vision at Arsenal. He needs to defend his players and pump them. He needs to make us all believers again. The time is now, let’s see what the boys have.
I’m going to hit you up with the low down. I’m alone. I have a bottle of sailor Jerry and baby mixers. There will be blood.
I’m revelling in being first here and second. I’ll read the story in a minute.
GOH – its as you were with the article.
4
Tropheeee, wooo
Good post. Wonder what the numbers were for the usual suspects 😆
Young squad works. Expensive, high paid and failing to deliver does not.
I don’t know what the brief was at the start of the season but if it was top four. Fail.
I guess another stab at the fa cup or a run in the nothing cup might suffice but when you’re still on the monster squad salary, it doesn’t look good.
However, I do love the fact we are a young blood team. It’s such a shame our impotent forward line is so old.
What’s happened to Martinelli?
“What’s happened to Martinelli?“
Arteta.
What’s happened to Martinelli? Still on the naughty step. Unlike Xhaka he roams out of position – Xhaka just plays statues.
Norg Left
Too easy to blame the haircut. A good player is a good player.
Martinelli was a decent player. Looked hungry.
The numbers speak to popularity at a given point in time. Revisiting this survey each month will actually provide a clearer and truer picture of the overall. Those will be the real numbers of interest, month over month.
The first survey, perhaps i may have missed the results? How people’s confidence is reflected? Again, another for a month over month rehash.
The problem about surveys is, they ask fucking dimwits their opinion. And dimwits are notoriously easy to please. Let’s take the opening three games. All lost. Ask the masses and they would say sack the manager etc. Throw them a bone and you’ll see a 180 flip into positivity.
Sport does this. Win and the grass is green. Lose and you’re hanging yourself.
Pedro,
How happy/ unhappy are people with PEA/Laca? Just how low has Xhaka,the man you and Tets are building the team around sunk? How do the fans feel about Leno know? You can’t only reveal the popular players results and say all is good. That’s cancel culture at it’s worst. We won’t look at them cause they don’t fit the mood? C’mon I was looking forward to seeing the results.
Pedro no doubt cooking the books with those new signing ratings, I was handing out 2s like they were going out with the Indians and doubt I was the only one.
Pretty sure the q was “how valuable” anyway and not “how do you rate the new signings?” So yeah obviously people will HOPE that they work out and as such will rate them high in value as they are banking more on hope than true expectation.
As expected.. but come on Peds… at least give us the bottom 5… I wanted to see if Xhaka… the lynch pin to our system, apparently .. has a rating near zero. Plus I wanted to see if Pierre’s favorite Eddie had a rating above 3. Killing my survey results buzz. man.
Pedro the Arsenal really need your help on the imagery side of things, that sky backdrop shoot is below the level of anything i’d wanna look at twice.
I’d like to have a peak at full list of rated players, show us the blood in the water.
WE,
nah, just rolled out data for the good ones, like a marketing man he is
How is Odegaard ranked 4.17/5 for value to the side? Half of Le Grove do not like him and I think that most on here prefer ESR.
I gave Ode 1 rating, surprised he is 4+.
WE, big difference between commenters and general readership.
Sal, I’m sorry I keep posting it. They need you to run a shoot.
I gave Ode a 3.. and ESR a 5. I think. I’m not down on Ode, I think he can be valuable in the right situations. Like when we play teams that are going to sit back and pack the box or perhaps used in a deeper role.
To be honest I gave the majority of players a 3.. But that’s our problem … too many 3’s and barely any 5’s.
You mean personal opinion was made when doing a poll? Well I never.
It’s some of you were literally born yesterday.
I never rated Aaron Ramsay more than a 6 for his whole career. Some had him up there on a 9. Same as everyone’s favourite little chancer, Wiltshite. A 4 player but some would have you believe he was Liam Brady.
Opinions are rubbish.
Joke Friday Four old friends get together for the first time in awhile. They are playing golf and start talking about how successful their sons are. Graham says, “My son is so successful, he’s VP of his company and just gave his best friend a car. ” Bertie says, “That’s nothing, my son is CEO of his company and just gave his best friend a house.” Pierre says, “Well, my son owns 3 highly profitable companies and just gave his best friend a jet.” They look look expectantly at the last friend, Tony, who says, “My son is a gay… Read more »
Pedro
How many regular readers does the site have?
Got looks on the bus sniggering to myself at that one Luteo.
Opinions are rubbish. _____________ GOH – Ummmm, Maybe , but then that means your opinion on opinions is rubbish. If all opinions are rubbish. So therefore nobody but a person with prefect judgement could have an opinion by your logic. But I was born yesterday, so what do I know. 😀 I’d say in general the people who follow Le Grove regularly are a little more well informed then the average fan.. As they take an extraordinary amount of time out of their life to follow football not just Arsenal. Doesn’t mean they are right just means they aren’t new… Read more »
WE, it fluctuates between 700k and a 1.2m. Not bad for a basic blog.
My point being this wasn’t just some random group of people that were polled. They were LG readers like yourself.
Peter just did the equivalent of googling himself by stating himself.
Nice one sonny Jim.
Midwest. Hoist by my own petard.
GOH-
Yes… I went all Perry Mason on you. Make the witness crack on the stand. Anyhow.. I just wanted to see all the results. Really. Bad opinions and all.
Midwest. Showing your age there. Perry mason? 99% of readers are googling that as we speak.
GOH-
Probably … hahaha I just watched the remake of it on HBO. Mini series. It was actually pretty good.
I remember Perry mason even the music lol always preferred petrocelli
Mid
I’m a lover of Hart to Hart. Embarrassing but I’m a sucker for that 80’s fervour.
Serge has put himself in his 50’s, early 60’s. Ami right?
Slow night. Is everyone out scoring whores or something?
Oh ya .. Robert Wagner right? I was so busy in the 80’s I didn’t watch much tv. Was busy trying to play Football on a scholarship and attend every party ever with more then 3 girls at it. and go to every concert I could find. Good old, bad old days.
It’s hard to equate the upbeat survey with the downbeat comments on here. Is it that only the optimists press the chat button? Well nobody comes more optimistic than me, and I never press chat buttons,
So what is the explanation?
I’ve come up with two possibilities:
(a) fear that if you say out loud that the future is bright, dark clouds will roll in. I believe that’s called hubris
(b) fear of saying out loud that you were wrong about Arteta I believe that’s called false pride.
I’m about to watch some of Newcastle play Leeds then I’ve been invited to go to a tournament of our local football team . No idea if they are any good or not.. probably not. I think in general with Arsenal not participating in Europe… gonna be slow on here during the week.
Midwest. I’d put you at 50. A couple years older than me. But we share the same DNA so to speak. I put my time in through the very late 80’s all the 90’s and pretty much the 00’s. I’m retired now. And thankful for it.
All good. Never look back, you only get a sore neck.
Englandsbest… I would say people generally rate the players higher then the manager. Don’t think you can draw a conclusion on optimism on Arteta from that. Bottom line…. people rate our players so he has to produce.. wins. And Now.
@Pedro “We wanted a Dortmund++ and we basically have it. The ++ comes from the fact that we buy expensive players to supplement our kids like Auba and Partey. It also differs from the German side because we’re buying elite young players with bundles of Premier League experience.” Dortmund++ it is more like Dortmund– because expensive players are not necessarily excellent players and teachers, that experiential has yet to produce results, unless you count Xhaka on how to teach the kids his style and experience. Oh and Laca leaving next summer on a free so much for experienced players teaching… Read more »
GOH.. Good guess.. I’m 55. Don’t feel that old.. did some surfing yesterday. Keeps you young getting out there with the babies.
Mid
A very close friend has just turned 50 and we are all shocked. We thought he was 5 years younger. I’m 45 and feel like 60 or maybe 120. Lol.
Who gives a fuck anyway. Keep going and don’t get eaten by a shark!
Guns, the ageing process is brutal… I was with a 60 year old who looked 75. Then you look at latter years Clint and you see how it could be if you were worth 200m.
Speaking of optimism, predictions?
CB’s?
How much alcohol will be needed to stay screenside the sofa?
Janky 2-0… The Arsenal.. White and Gabi will be cb’s again. Alcohol.. yes. I recommend it.
I’m going to hit you up with the low down. I’m alone. I have a bottle of sailor Jerry and baby mixers. There will be blood.
Guns
You lucky bastard. Get your Clash albums on turned up to 11 and piss off the neighbours. Nothing can go wrong now they’ve stopped issuing ASBOs….
Keep us in the picture – typos, chunder and injuries included – as your night wears on. And for fuck’s sake, stop if you run out of booze and the furniture polish starts to look appealing. Enjoy brother
Peter
You absolute pussy. You’re what, 32? But yes, it’s brutal. My mother passed in July out of nowhere. Heart failure. But shit happens, life goes on.
I don’t think i ‘feel’ 45 but my brain says I’m at least 4,500 years old and this is my 100th life. Luckily, because I avoid silver bullets and kryptonite, I’ve done okay.
Kronkephobe
If I can keep lucid, I will. When I’m in the groove, a bottle of rum is doable. I’m a mood drinker. Mostly bad but if the planets align and no cunt bothers me, I can do well. Stay straight.
I’m watching a particularly bad film at the moment however. A British film shot in an I phone. It’s poor but I’ll press on.
Guns of HackneySeptember 17, 2021 19:28:24
PeterYou absolute pussy. You’re what, 32? But yes, it’s brutal. My mother passed in July out of nowhere. Heart failure. But shit happens, life goes on
Wow Guns my Dad passed a month ago with same thing and me and you are the same age.
Yep, White and Gabi’s my bet too.
2-0, you are an optimist. Gonna double our goal output for the season. Bravo.
I’m just hoping A-a-ron keeps a clean sheet. I’m psyched up for a 1-0 win. Epic in the tall grass stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eneRB5z1XM
I hacked the results of the bottom 5 players in the poll. Here they are
Auba 1.12
Leno 1.03
Kolasinac 0.72
Bellerin 0.53
Xhaka 0.16
MidwestGun
The consensus of the anti-Arteta brigade is that he is a bad judge of players, doesn’t get the best out of players, upsets them…
Sorry for your loss Samesong.
That phone call is something I won’t forget.
Peace.
San fran
One of the greatest. Ergo, Guns of Hackney.
When they kick down your front door, how you gonna come?
K’phobe,
That’s trash.
Unless Xhaka’s mom participated in this survey no way anyone gives that guy above a 0.
Guns of HackneySeptember 17, 2021 19:35:34
Sorry for your loss Samesong.That phone call is something I won’t forget.Peace.
I concur – Condolences.
Guns
Brilliant. That film sounds fucking terrible. Maybe pause it til about 8.15 tomorrow morning when things start getting really existential. If at some stage you want to watch something not only hilarious but also a little bit disturbing, try an American film called ‘the greasy strangler’. It’s top!
If you were doing it as a chariddeee thing for your local boy scout troop, I’d definitely sponsor you!
KroenkePhobe…. Possibly.. haha.. I would have said. Kola, Xhaka, Mari, Soares and Elneny. bottom 5. I think some people will think Leno and Auba have some value. For me… I gave Auba a 3 because basically if he doesn’t score we are screwed. So I was probably being overly optimistic based on past performance pre- Arteta.
Same
You doing okay, brother? It can be hard. I didn’t know how it would hit me but I did okay. But that’s me. Don’t be silent. Know what I mean?
Janky
😊. I was coming up on an E last night and gave him a 5 knowing all of you cunts would give him a big fat zero. That’s how he got a positive score. I’m such a prince!
“GOH.. Good guess.. I’m 55. Don’t feel that old.. did some surfing yesterday. Keeps you young getting out there with the babies.“ Damn straight, Midwest. Keeps you young but it backfires sometimes. I’m also 55 and I play once a week with with my son’s team in an open league and have to hide all my little cuts and bruises from my wife who thinks I’m nuts for not acting my age. Got two cracked ribs a few months back…….. that was no fun. You must’ve done better than ok for yourself to be able to retire this young ,… Read more »
Guns
Had the funeral Monday just gone. It was a great turn out.
I suppose I have good days and bad days. But yeah I’m ok.
Kronke
Ummmm…I only watch shit films. Really. I hate movies with a ‘message’ and generally only watch low budget garbage. Daniel Day Lewis v Segal is a no brainier for me. Segal and DMX taking down some Russian mobsters in China beats DDL winning an Oscar.
I’m a paradox. As I love classical music, jazz and the clash.
Midwest
Fair enough. I quickly banged it out (so to speak) without fully mulling over the horrors in our squad. If Pedro can distort/hide, the truth sometimes, I’m sure as fuck going to give it a try too! 😉
Same
Good. When you have the bad moments, take a look at the one next to you. It helps me.
Don’t watch Arsenal.
“I was coming up on an E ”
All of a sudden I’m remembering all those times I boshed a handful of pills in Fabric in the late 90s early 00s.
Good times.
I know it’s early but.
Skip the fucking ads.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1ckyJ8fgkI0
Oh Jamie lol good times. Do you remember Orange on the Holloway road?
You must’ve done better than ok for yourself to be able to retire this young , kudos. Love surfing too. Any good surf down in Texas? _____ Tom- Thanks.. Ya I did ok… before 2008 when the housing market crashed. I was smart enough to have smart people watch my money. Anyhow.. Surfing here is very spotty.. Its good next to the jetties and piers. 4-6 foot waves on a good day. But you never get what I would call prime surf.. like Cali. or Hawaii. We got an uptick in surf from the last tropical storm though. Basically at… Read more »
Jamie is a lad.
Good. When you have the bad moments, take a look at the one next to you. It helps me.
Deffo
Same –
The Rocket. What a venue. That outside space was great for when you were roasting.
Same –The Rocket. What a venue. That outside space was great for when you were roasting.
Yes mate.
LG should celebrated international Clash day. Nothing but clash links and banter.
Jamie
I played with a group at the Rokit. And up the road at the Garage.
That really was fucking good times.
And those massive round sinks in the bathrooms in Fabric.
2k folk rushing off their tits trying to refill water bottles
Sal
You got my vote.
Guns –
I knew you’d have had some involvement in the Rocket. Right up your street mate.
Condolences to you both, Samesong and GoH. I’m the old fart in this exchange. In my 60s. Both my parents have been gone for three decades – both here one day and gone the next – and I still feel the loss. If it’s any help, my pain subsided over time, although the sense of loss has not. May the memory of your parents be a blessing. But I will say that regular exercise and a (semi) decent diet can keep you feeling okay even as you age. And my first game? Against Wolves, in 1964! The 80s and 90s… Read more »
Jamie
Absolutely true. Partied as a civvy. Played as a performer. Only a few times. We were rubbish but it was the 90’s and any old cunt with a few instruments could get a play. We did a bit in Camden as well.
2k folk rushing off their tits trying to refill water bottles
haha I think I raved in nearly every club up town back in the 90’s
I used to do a little MC ing too
Did you ever go Rage?? Heavens night club. I used to Love Grooverider and Fabio
NJ
Thanks. It wasn’t my greatest moment but they are fleeting.
Peace.
Condolences to you both, Samesong and GoH.
Thanks NJ Gooner
Guns –
As near as I’m convinced, we’ve probably been in the same venue at the same time 20 odd years ago.
Not gonna go full Pierre… but something not quite right about Joe Willy in a barcode shirt.
Condolences, Samesong.
Just catching up with all the comments. Saw someone mention an E, couldn’t let it slide. You know how it is.
And Guns.
Heaven? Is that the gay one? On Tottenham Court Road? I could tell you a take about that place. Oh my.
As a straight guy…for every time I went there, I knew what it was like to be a woman. And that’s why I respect the femmes.
Man, that was a blast.
Weird Clash video with Paul Simenon singing Guns of Brixton.
Saw Joe Strummer sing it with his band the Mescaleros at Brixton Academy, never to be forgotten.
Jamie
Probably. The scene was pretty small. Defo a lot of faces that keep popping up. I was an indi kid so the e scene wasn’t really me but I dabbled. I was more a coke fiend. Soho, Camden etc. But whatever one can get, one gets. We probably had a party.
Guns yeah I remember though that you had to have a woman with you in the queue or you wouldn’t get in. So I would start chatting to some random ladies.
Guns, had exactly the same experience at Heaven, slightly intimidating!
Bob
I think it was a fake. As far as I know. Joe sung that.
As a side story. A friend of mine went to Simmonens house to do some plumbing and saw his bass…he actually picked it up and played it. I have a pic.
Brucey getting the sack.
Same
Ha ha. Remember tiger tiger? Monday was no trainers. Tuesdays were no shorts. Wednesday was three women. Thursdays were black shoes only. And it went on.
Mate. I went to score blow in all the queer clubs as that was where my dealer partied. As I said, I don’t have a beef with the gays, but fuck me…those 30 mins waiting to score were hard. Now I know what a lady has to go through every day.
Fuck. Life was so good!