Stats, opinions and awards before making the turn to the back nine

Arsenal begins the second half of the 2020/2021 Premier League season today at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium

This was not the “front nine” of the season any of us expected. By the half way point, I expected Arsenal to be in the league’s top 6, to be playing in the FA Cup 5th Round, and also competing in the Europa League Round of 32. I was one for three. This was not the “front nine” I expected.

Coming off a strong finish to last season’s COVID-riddled campaign, things were looking up for the Gunners. A Community Shield win over league champs Liverpool kicked off the season in good form. September and October were pretty solid, but then November and December saw the club’s performances decline dramatically, by winning only 7 of 15 matches. Mikel Arteta’s job was on the line and the team was in shambles, but then a miraculous 3-1 victory over Chelsea jolted the club into January where the Gunners have lost only 1 out of 5 matches.

So, the question remains. Which Arsenal club will show up in the second half of this season? The pre-Chelsea team in November/December, or the post-Chelsea team we saw in January?

Here are the Gunners league stats going into the “back nine” of the Premier League season.

Record: 8 wins, 3 draws, 8 defeats

Place in league table: 11th

Points: 27

Points out of 1st place: 13

Points out of top 4: 7

Points out of top 6: 5 

Goal differential: +4 (scored 23, allowed 19)

Offensive position in league: 12th

Defensive position in league:  4th

Obviously, there is a lot room for improvement required for the Gunners to move up the league table, and survive to play next season in one of the European competitions.

However, as I sit here today on January 26th, I feel quite optimistic. For one thing, until Saturday’s poor display at Southampton, the Gunners were playing really good football. I feel they can regain that momentum today.

Also, the addition of Martin Odegaard should add to any success Arsenal has going through the remainder of this season. It will be interesting to watch how Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff balance playing time between Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe. Maybe the boss will find a way to get both men on the pitch together. Wouldn’t that be exciting?

As the team’s defense continues to improve, the offense needs to find more goals. Auba has to regain his 2019/2020 scoring form, Pepe and Willian need to find a form, Lacazette needs to continue his run of goals, Xhaka and Partey’s midfield  partnership needs to continue to grow, as does relationship on the the backline between Gabriel and Holding.

I also feel more confident with Mat Ryan backing up Bernd Leno for the remainder of this season. This was a weakness that could have been devastating in the first half, but fortunately Leno remained healthy.

So, here are Yankee Gooner’s First Half Awards:

First half’s best team win award: 3-1 v Chelsea on December 26th

First half’s worst team loss award: 0-3 v Aston Villa on November 8th

First half’s most surprising player award: Emile Smith Rowe

First half’s most disappointing player award: Willian

First half’s most improved player award: Rob Holding

First half’s least improved player award: Nicolas Pepe

First half’s best defensive player awards: Rob Holding and Bernd Leno (tie)

First half’s best offensive player awards: Kieren Tierney and Alexander Lacazette (tie)

First half’s best player awards: Bukayo Saka and Kieren Tierney (tie)

On to the back nine!

COYG!

Cheers.

Gunner1953