Statistics reveal the bad area that Arsenal underperformed in last season

The recently concluded 2022-23 Premier League season was a rollercoaster ride for Arsenal. The Gunners were in a fierce title race with Manchester City, but ultimately fell short by five points. While there were many factors that contributed to their second-place finish, one area where Arsenal struggled was set plays.

Statistics have revealed that only 20% of Arsenal’s goals came from set plays, which is the third-lowest proportion in the top flight. In comparison, Manchester United scored 15% of their goals from set plays, while Brighton scored 18%. The Premier League average for set-play goals this season was 28%.

Set plays are an important aspect of modern football and can often be the difference between winning and losing games. They include free-kicks, corners, and penalties. Teams that are proficient in set plays can create more scoring opportunities and put pressure on their opponents.

Arsenal’s struggles with set plays were evident throughout the season. They often failed to convert corners and free-kicks into goals, which cost them valuable points in crucial games. In contrast, Manchester City scored 29% of their goals from set plays, which played a significant role in their title-winning campaign.

While Arsenal had a strong attacking lineup with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli leading the charge, they lacked creativity when it came to set plays. This is an area where they will need to improve if they want to challenge for the title next season.

Overall, Arsenal had a successful season despite falling short of winning the title. They showed great character and resilience throughout the campaign and will be looking to build on their achievements next season. However, if they want to challenge for the title, they will need to improve their set-play performance and convert more of these opportunities into goals.