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.
For my birthday (which is tomorrow) Ive got myself a bottle of Glenmorangie 14 year Quinta Ruban bottle and for anyone who likes really sweet whisky this baby will absolutely not let you down. 12 years regular cask then 2 years in port casks. Fooking lovely!
Arteta has so over cranked the football out of this side, lets go try and score some goals and incrementally correct as needed.
Very Ozil, Ramsay and Coquelin then scratch the latter out and add superior Partey.
It shouldn’t be boring.
Although argument made for Martinelli over Pepe who is truly like the old Forest Gump box of chocolates metaphor.
I’m open minded about either Ode or ESR sitting deeper if that actually happens. Definitely not certain it would work but I’d be happy to see how it looks. ESR in particular is press resistant, can carry the ball, pass, and runs his socks off. He isn’t an elite tackler but the other parts of his game might make him surprisingly effective playing deeper.
But like I said it could totally fail – I’d be happy enough to see how it looks tho
Ughh, if Xhaka comes back for the NLD, mark my words we’ll end up drawing or lose the game because he will do something stupid.
Xhaka the ultimate one dimensional footballer.
Good line up, questions though, would we be able to score?
And would Tierney keep crossing the ball to no one in the box?
We shall find out soon
Up the Arsenal!
I actually think Odegaard is more then decent defensively.. But will have to see how it plays out. Depends on what Burnley do, really. If they bunker in and we can control possession it won’t matter. But we will see.. seems like every team press us strongly in the midfield, anymore.
Revels used to be good.
But the baskets kept on getting stingy on the cocunut ones. The best ones. And also the orange ones.
It got to the stage where if you didn’t come across a coffee one it would be a surprise.
China
Glenmorangie is a lovely whiskey. If you like more flavour , rate the standard version.
For every day Famous Grouse or Old Par are smooth .
They may have big hearts but there’s next to no talent in that Burnley team. Energy, fight, discipline and good technical play beats them today.
Ashley Barnes. Despicable.
China and S Asoa
You’d better make them doubles lads for Dutch courage.
We absolutely outplayed spurs with xhaka last season but i won’t want him starting tho
Nbc has Odegaard in the pivot with Partey. ESR ahead.. 4-2-3-1. Of course they are wrong about 50% of the time though.. so. who knows.
An attacking line up selected by Arteta today, is this the start of some good football being played ??????
I like the line up,but the midfield too light because of
Burnley rugby tactics, how I wish Sambi started the match
Ish
No way mate. Coconut in silver medal in the revels competition. Orange in gold and coffee bronze. I used to love those shits and get irrationally annoyed with myself if I guessed one wrong before popping it in my gob. No, really!
I like some of the lineup of course. I like that Pepe is not removed from the starting lineup like he would have in previous seasons. Maybe Arteta has finally decided to give him say 10 games in a row and see what happens. Hate him or not, he’s proven that he can provide end product, albeit he doesn’t have the best decision making. I like that ESR starts. I like that Auba starts at CF. It’s probably the best we’ve got after the shocking Summer we had. I, for one, support starting 2 ball playing midfielders, I just don’t… Read more »
All the best for your birthday China. Let’s hope it’s improved by 3 impressive points in 2 hour’s time.
COYG
Links?
Asoa yeah tried the original at a bar a few months back and it was lovely. I was really torn between that, dalmore 12 or going balls out with something unfamiliar for my birthday, but when I asked my local whisky shop owner what glenmorangie he has he showed me besides the original he had the 3 cask finished alternatives as well. Fancied something hyper sweet as my Arran 10 is nearly gone and Quinta Ruban seemed to be the sweetest of the lot according to reviews. I always buy a different bottle each time but I can easily see… Read more »
Also dalmore 12 is gorgeous but only ever ordered a single
BobN16
You may have.a point there about Ode.
Maybe keeping him away from the goal area isn’t such a bad thing since he’s not going to drive towards goal.
I just think Lokonga give us a better chance of controlling the midfield
Well you have good taste in putting the coconut and orange ones in your top three Kreonkephobe.
I found that the plain old chocolates ones were strangely satisfying as well. Maybe to do with shape and texture.
Good old phone app does the trick.
Think he has decided to not go to battle with Burnley but try and play around them instead, but whether that works depends a lot on whether the ref just let’s them plough through us with bad tackling
Ishola I love the toffee ones.
Happy pre birthday to China our in house scotch man, I like them all but Lagavulin 16 is the go to for those long dark city nights.
Maitland-Niles dropped, that didn’t take long!
Cheers kroenke
I’m actually very confident about the game. It’s a pretty good lineup and besides questions about how we manage the CM it’s five or take as good as we can be. It’s also a very attacking lineup so if we’re still boring and wank then there’s really no helping us
This may sound crazy but Pepe us our best offensive threats, as annoying as that may come across to some.
He tries to make things happen, I just wish he had more runners around him.He used to be isolated because everything went through the Tierney on the left, in the past.
Sal cheers man. I tried Lagavulin 16 recently and whilst it was clearly fabulous I think I actually prefer the 8. Not because it’s as complex or anything but because for peated whisky is like the intensity of a slightly younger bottle. For me the smoke deserves a little more fire!
It’s for the same reason I have the pretty unpopular opinion that Talisker storm is nicer than Talisker 10. 10 is just a little too clean for me, it needs more fire like storm
China
Hoping for a win for your birthday mate.
Samesong
“I love the toffee ones.”
Blasphemy lol.
That’s another one where they flooded the packet with and you feel cheated.
Everyone to their own though.
Did Revels used to come in boxes rather than packets? I’m sure I remember a sexy Revels advertisement where these Revels goodies where overspilling out of a box with someone trying to put the lid on them but failing such was the amount of goodies on offer in the box. Maybe Kroenkephobe recalls.
China
I’ve never tried the 8, will do when the season turns. Still on my late summer Campari Soda kick.
Pepe has already a good shot. Both ESR and Saka still have to learn how to shoot.
Playing four at the back will allow Burnley to isolate Ben White with high crosses for header.
We’ll see how he does with the likes of Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.
Is it your birthday China? ohh.. Happy Birthday, man. Sounds like your off to a good start.
What is this obsession with white? He has only played 2 matches for us ffs
Cheers boyos!
We will miss Sambi today I have no doubt. when the ball is loose, he just gets there very fast and wins it. Other than Partey no one else is going to do that.
Decent attacking line-up. I like it.
Looking foward to see how this game pans out.
Burnley are beatable but will be tough customers.
Well here .. we go.. Come on boys!
Come on The Arsenal!!!
Turf Moor always sounds so middle earth. Need to bust out the magic ring. Slay the orcs.
Is Partey fit enough to run the midfield by himself?
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
The pitch looks quite slick .
Its a 4141
http://weakstreams.com/soccer-streams/premier-league/burnley-vs-arsenal/33081/?sport=soccer
Stream
Odegard beside Partey or anywhere he won’t need to be the playmaker should work.
Pepe’s header. OMG!
Oh … damn.. that looked promising for a second.
Very good attack. Great pass Odegaard.
We have the right personnel, but not the right mentality.
Too afraid too pass between the lines
My boy Ramsdale lol
White misses the header.
White 0 – 1 Barnes
White passes to nobody!!!!
Good Lord .. how long does it take to take a corner kick…. haha.. giving up too many set pieces to Burnley so far.. for my liking.
White 0 – 2 Barnes
Only watched 12 mins but Pepe has to be the worst signing in Premier League history!!
His decision making is absolutely shocking its like playing with 10 men. How he keeps making the starting line up I will never know.
White needs to sharpen up he’s been at fault 3 times already
White nowhere to be found. Horrible defending. I’ll stop it, I know I’m annoying some, but how is he not aware where Barnes is???
We can’t win anything in the air or any second balls at the moment. players always seem to be in the wrong place.
Smith Rowe’s been anonymous….
We are second best so far
It’s only burnley ffs
Ode fails to spot that through ball to Auba after Auba made a good run
Maybe Saka on the right and Pepe on the left would’ve been better……
I like our new RB, TT.
Pass and stand still, great footballing philosophy.
We look scared to concede, which is hindering our attack
Pass and move, one twos, that’s how you break through the opposition defense.
Pedro,
Let’s make this very clear. Arsenal fans have only to demand that their club is the best. There is no tempering. Ever. Go and support the Spuds if you adore medicore.
Woeful corner from pepe
Ransdale’s starting position is very good
Hope he stays disciplined because sometimes you get stuck in no man’s land
Thats what you wanna see from Pepe… direct play.
FFS what a corner.
Så predictable , just give to Tierney and hope for the best!
Friends this is why you always buy quality whisky.
Because at least when arsenal are shit as usual you can count on your drink if nothing else
Haha China… I wish I was still hard core enough to start drinking at 930 am here.. But it’s a little too early even for me. I’m a bit jealous.
This JDP stuff is revolutionary. Passing it back and forth across the back while Burnley watch on in awe. This is what we have waited two years for.
Aubameyang isn’t even bursting the get into the box
We can play like this for 1000 minutes and not score from open play.
It seems that White is afraid to pass the ball upfield.
Pepe wasn’t direct he could have run to by line but checked back like he always does!!
Then from corner couldn’t even clear first man which happens every single game.. truly awful player.
Arteta will lose his job picking Pepe & Xhaka. And the fact Arteta considers these players as good enough for Arsenal FC says it all.
Taylor looks SUSPICIOUSLY like Pedro…
Disappointing so far.
So far we are more or less just passing between Gabi and White.. Think we have that one down maybe try something else.
FFs we are clueless. No movement, no vision. all sideways.
Temper the prices and then talk about tempering expectations. Another crock of boring shit so far today.
Whatever happened to White being able to move the ball forward ?
Middy,
I concur. China’s time zone allows it. He’s a lucky mofo.
China
Happy bday to you big boy. Hope arsenal gives you a nice present.
Our attackers seem to always receive the ball facing our goal
There are no runs being made
It’s all too predictable
Shouldn’t it be a red when you kick someone’s leg from the back.
Ode!!!!
‘ So far we are more or less just passing between Gabi and White’
That’s why you spend on passing defenders….
Great chance here.
Odegaard! Get in!
ODE!!!!!! Sweet left foot..!
Odegaard does something. Quite lovely actually
Oh yeah