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.
Pepe is so useless.
Tierney crocked
Win. Some fucking second balls pepe
I mean our weight of pass today has been absolutely shocking.
Definitely on the back foot now.. We are trying to defend the Alamo. AMN for Partey? is Partey injured too? or just precaution.. I dont know.
Fuck me. Partey injured again.
This team can’t even play simple 3 yard passes panic stations.
Great ANM coming for Party
😊😁😂
White loses another header.
Partey motioned to the bench to come off a few mins previously. A knock.
Southgate wondering how he can sneak out
Outside the goal Odegaard hs been piss poor all game with his shabby long passes
We have to win this game to go into the NLD with confidence
We spent 50 mill on the wrong Brighton player
How is Pepe surviving all these subs??
White is absolute crap on lifted balls. Arteta needs to be sacked only for this… besides other things
Partey is so Diaby at times.
Injuries occur quite often through mental fatigue.
It will be a miracle if we hold out here.
Again Ben white could not contain Chris woods !!
Gabriel is having s good game
A true captain goes over to Pepe and has a quiet word in his ear.
I think all subs have been due to injury.. Tierney, Partey and ESR..
White and Partey having really mare. What is it about Arteta that creates such low levels of confidence on the pitch. This is a young team that should be playing without fear but they seem to be completely fearful against a low table team
I love Saka but his touch and overall play has been absolute shit today
Another game goes by without Martinelli being involved.
Gabriel is class.
White needs to do so much better. Looks like a 10m player today
Saka with an awful heavy touch
Maitland Niles and sambi have been good since they come on
Should’ve scored
Saka has been rubbish in this game. I guess Arteta’s generational coaching is yielding results.
I mean these are easy passes right?? Or is it me? Burnley are shit. It’s our own passing letting us down.
It’s obvious why all our passes are falling short
It’s the long cut dry turf
That said, we should have made that adjustment by now.
It’s just form and inexperience with saka he has been poor the last 3 games
Last throw of the Dyche by Sean dice
Norwich 1 Watford 3.
Says it all really,
Definitely team young guns now. Auba is the sole old man.
Hmm we have just played the two bottom teams and haven’t actually been convincing against both. Hope we can hold out here cos much tougher games coming up.
Ramsdale clearly MoTM
Can auba fking take a ball.in stride? Put your foot in, and win a fk or pen. So passive from the captain.
What the fuck is White doing? lol
I feels better with this new GK against corners.
With Ramsdale you do feel much more confident at corners.
AMN has been fab since he came on. and Sambi.
These Norwich and Burnley games already look like they will turn out to have been crucial six pointers come the end of the season.
Come on Arsenal!! Hang on in there!!!
My boy Ramsdale has been excellent so far.
Absolute dog shit our passing is right now
back against the wall stuff against the mighty Burnley
generational
The ball isn’t moving freely on this turf
Am I the only one who’s seeing this?
Giving it away so cheaply
We kept getting told saliba can’t play for us because he’s young and might make mistakes but today white has looked like a boy amongst men and has looked well out of his depth.
I’m not writing white off, it’s only one game, but we also kept hearing about how it’s worth paying the English PL premium as it helps players adapt quickly – yet Tomi and lokonga have both looked more comfortable than white since joining
Burnley better moves are like brawling.
Ramsdale has common sense
He knows when to not play out of the back
Fuck me this is terrible now. the touch has gone. the passing went ages ago and now composure is deserting us.
China
The price tag weighing him down..
Get saliba back and play with a back 3.
All the front 3 have been white today but Pepe probably the worst
TT and AMN and Loko matching their physicality … that’s a plus.
One more minute to hang on for. Squeaky bum time.
Tomiyasu is one of those defenders you don’t notice…..the good ones
Ramsdale and Tomiyasu have improved our defense so much.
I give the man of the match to our GK.
Ben White is what we got after crossing a cat and canary.
Stackable offense
Ramsdale has to play in the NLD
Anything else is poor management
4 mins.. to go.
Only Ramsdale and Gabriel in the running for MOTM. Ramsdale probably edges it.
why does Pepe not following his man?
Ramsdale
Gabriel
Tomi
Partey
Ode
Our best players today in no particular order
4 mins!!!!
Aaaaarghh.
Gabriel is brilliant today, looks the old one before that Covid virus.
White has been shite really…almost there
lol the fuck Tavares thinking
We should win. Burnley players have not much technique
Almost there, on a side note, fuck Burnley and their Rugby tactics. What a shit, anti-football side they are. Absolutely classless.
At least to justify tomorrow’s euphoria here
Lol Tavares 🔥🔥🔥🔥
deserved clean sheet for Ramsdale
Love Tavares. Don’t care that he wasted possession. I just love his enthusiasm.
Really thought Burnley would have more about them but they look odds on right now for relegation.
Tomi & Ode had a good games. White poor but another win and 3 points.
So something to be happy about.
And it’s One-nil to the Arsenal… One – nil to the Arsenal. …. One-nil to the Arsenal.!!!!
3 pts. And a scrappy win,
NUNO TAVARES IS MY FUCKING FAVORITE
To the people criticizing White
Don’t you’ll know he was Brighton’s junior defenders I Ty only one experience in the top division
What else were you expecting?
We signed a defender whose moment was organized by Dunk last season
Dissenter
“It’s obvious why all our passes are falling short. It’s the long cut dry turf”
Well spotted. They said before the game that Dyche had left the grass long and kept the sprinklers off. Pulis used to do the same at Stoke. Anti-football. Shocking really but that’s these Northern thugs for you Ramsdale looks like a brilliant signing, inspired. Something calm about him, worth every penny & more
.Hope we hang on really good 3 points if we do.
I’m no fan of Arteta’s but you’ve got admit this is a good away win if we hold on.
Ramsdale cannot be dropped after this…..
We deserve this win. The boys fight against those bullies.
Happy with the 3 points …….. disgusted with the performance
One nil to The Arsenal!!
Well done lads.
Big 3 points. Rugby game overall. Poor technique on show throughout. Arsenal not good enough to show any class when we had plenty of opportunity to,
Much like last week, all about getting the win today.
Sounds like it wasn’t pretty though. However we seem to be on the up while Spurs are having a tough time at the moment. Form goes out the window for a NLD but it’s looking more positive for us now. A win on that game would be a big statement for this team.
Saints get a 0-0 at City. We conceded 5 there.
Great to see city draw as well
Everyone getting on the Ramsdale bandwagon. Always thought he would come in and steady the ship over the new 3-4 games. Assured in nearly everything he does. Came out for so many crosses when Leno would of stayed on his goal line.
Tomi was awesome today as well. Won nearly every aerial battle.
Convincing JDP win. White had a shocker. Must’ve been the long grass.
I was gardening. Did we win?
Brilliant win. Very young team which has never played together before & probably never faced that type of agricultural, physical football. That specially prepared pitch was a challenge too. Made my day, going to enjoy my curry night out. COYG. .
Burnley with more attempts on goal…..
Ramsdale the relegator was brilliant, but we might have to let it go…..
I’ve never ever seen Saka play this poorly
Maybe one of those days
The pitch is clearly dry as a brick wall. So many passes seem underhit
I wonder how people can watch our last two games and believe Arteta can turn Arsenal into a formidable team.
The last two games didn’t show a gulf in class between Arsenal, Norwich, and Burnley.
Ramsdale deserved MOTM followed by Gabriel
Not impressed with White today
Great result and a determined performance from the players.
1. We had all 6 new players on at the end. That’ll be great for the confidence.
2. Tomiyasu is already a cult hero.
3. Please tell me Partey was tired and not injured.
4. Even if some of our attacking players are having an off-game, we have a lot of threats out there.
5. Keep winning Arteta and the Sword of Damocles will be slowly lifted.
If this is peak JDP ball… we can go ahead and scrap that.. Very happy we won.. it was a must win Burnley are crap. Still waiting for the goals though and our players like ESR, Partey and Tierney made of glass…. is worrying.
Aaron Ramsdale take a bow. Great signing
Good away win. Courtesy of a magic moment from Odegaard. But we still aren’t showing any progressive football. Only one or two moments we created any sort of opening to shoot at their goal. But it is Burnley so I won’t complain.