DATA BLOG: FAN PLAYER RATINGS ASSESSED

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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.

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China1

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!

salparadisenyc

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.

China1

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

Leedsgunner

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.

G8

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!

MidwestGun

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.

Ishola70

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.

S Asoa

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 .

Kroenkephobe

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.

Kroenkephobe

Ashley Barnes. Despicable.

Kroenkephobe

China and S Asoa

You’d better make them doubles lads for Dutch courage.

Raulishuss

We absolutely outplayed spurs with xhaka last season but i won’t want him starting tho

MidwestGun

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.

Johng

An attacking line up selected by Arteta today, is this the start of some good football being played ??????

Dunchirado

I like the line up,but the midfield too light because of
Burnley rugby tactics, how I wish Sambi started the match

Kroenkephobe

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!

raptora

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 »

Kroenkephobe

All the best for your birthday China. Let’s hope it’s improved by 3 impressive points in 2 hour’s time.

Raulishuss

COYG

Samesong

Links?

China1

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 »

China1

Also dalmore 12 is gorgeous but only ever ordered a single

Dissenter

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

Ishola70

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.

Samesong

Good old phone app does the trick.

Johng

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

Samesong

Ishola I love the toffee ones.

salparadisenyc

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.

Danny

Maitland-Niles dropped, that didn’t take long!

China1

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

Dissenter

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.

China1

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

Samesong

China

Hoping for a win for your birthday mate.

Ishola70

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.

salparadisenyc

China

I’ve never tried the 8, will do when the season turns. Still on my late summer Campari Soda kick.

Nelson

Pepe has already a good shot. Both ESR and Saka still have to learn how to shoot.

Dissenter

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.

MidwestGun

Is it your birthday China? ohh.. Happy Birthday, man. Sounds like your off to a good start.

Raulishuss

What is this obsession with white? He has only played 2 matches for us ffs

China1

Cheers boyos!

gazzap

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.

TheLegendaryDB10

Decent attacking line-up. I like it.

Looking foward to see how this game pans out.

Burnley are beatable but will be tough customers.

MidwestGun

Well here .. we go.. Come on boys!

TheLegendaryDB10

Come on The Arsenal!!!

MidwestGun

Turf Moor always sounds so middle earth. Need to bust out the magic ring. Slay the orcs.

Sid

Is Partey fit enough to run the midfield by himself?

georgia boy

COME ON YOU GUNNERS

Samesong

The pitch looks quite slick .

Sid

Its a 4141

Thorough

Odegard beside Partey or anywhere he won’t need to be the playmaker should work.

Nelson

Pepe’s header. OMG!

MidwestGun

Oh … damn.. that looked promising for a second.

raptora

Very good attack. Great pass Odegaard.

prvhc

We have the right personnel, but not the right mentality.
Too afraid too pass between the lines

Samesong

My boy Ramsdale lol

Nelson

White misses the header.

raptora

White 0 – 1 Barnes

Nelson

White passes to nobody!!!!

MidwestGun

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.

Nelson

White 0 – 2 Barnes

Paolo

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.

China1

White needs to sharpen up he’s been at fault 3 times already

raptora

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???

gazzap

We can’t win anything in the air or any second balls at the moment. players always seem to be in the wrong place.

prvhc

Smith Rowe’s been anonymous….

China1

We are second best so far

It’s only burnley ffs

gazzap

Ode fails to spot that through ball to Auba after Auba made a good run

prvhc

Maybe Saka on the right and Pepe on the left would’ve been better……

Nelson

I like our new RB, TT.

Gonsterous

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.

Spudnik

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.

gazzap

Woeful corner from pepe

Dissenter

Ransdale’s starting position is very good
Hope he stays disciplined because sometimes you get stuck in no man’s land

salparadisenyc

Thats what you wanna see from Pepe… direct play.

salparadisenyc

FFS what a corner.

Benjamin

Så predictable , just give to Tierney and hope for the best!

China1

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

MidwestGun

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.

TheBayingMob

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.

Dissenter

Aubameyang isn’t even bursting the get into the box
We can play like this for 1000 minutes and not score from open play.

Nelson

It seems that White is afraid to pass the ball upfield.

Paolo

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.

China1

Taylor looks SUSPICIOUSLY like Pedro…

Lacaqualidie

Disappointing so far.

MidwestGun

So far we are more or less just passing between Gabi and White.. Think we have that one down maybe try something else.

gazzap

FFs we are clueless. No movement, no vision. all sideways.

Paulie

Temper the prices and then talk about tempering expectations. Another crock of boring shit so far today.

Marco

Whatever happened to White being able to move the ball forward ?

raptora

Middy,
I concur. China’s time zone allows it. He’s a lucky mofo.

Gonsterous

China

Happy bday to you big boy. Hope arsenal gives you a nice present.

Dissenter

Our attackers seem to always receive the ball facing our goal
There are no runs being made
It’s all too predictable

Nelson

Shouldn’t it be a red when you kick someone’s leg from the back.

Nelson

Ode!!!!

prvhc

‘ So far we are more or less just passing between Gabi and White’

That’s why you spend on passing defenders….

Danny

Great chance here.

Downundergunner

Odegaard! Get in!

MidwestGun

ODE!!!!!! Sweet left foot..!

Globalgunner

Odegaard does something. Quite lovely actually

GunnerWomble

Oh yeah