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THREAD: Analysing the impact Emile Smith Rowe has had on Arsenal
(Likes and RTs appreciated)
(Likes and RTs appreciated)
The outlook of Arsenal's season from the start of December to right now is night and day. One of the main notable changes in that period has been 2 boys from Hale End who have stepped up, particularly Emile Smith Rowe, who's been handed his first ever run in the first team
BEFORE VS AFTER ESR:
Not one for performance based analysis, but let's just look at the difference in results since Smith Rowe entered the PL starting lineup:
Without: 1 point per game
With: 2.6 points per game
Only Manchester City have had a better run in the same period
Not one for performance based analysis, but let's just look at the difference in results since Smith Rowe entered the PL starting lineup:
Without: 1 point per game
With: 2.6 points per game
Only Manchester City have had a better run in the same period
Diving deeper into performances:
Arsenal's xGD/90 before vs Smith Rowe came vs now -
Before: -0.08
Now: +0.21
An improvement of +0.29, again bettered only by Man City in the same period
Arsenal's xGD/90 before vs Smith Rowe came vs now -
Before: -0.08
Now: +0.21
An improvement of +0.29, again bettered only by Man City in the same period
Looking at with vs without ESR on the pitch in the league:
G/90 with: 2.5
G/90 without: 0.82
GC/90 with: 0
GC/90 without: 1.3
xGD/90 with: +1.35
xGD/90 without: -0.16
That +1.51 difference is 2nd highest in the league of players with between 10-90% of league minutes played
G/90 with: 2.5
G/90 without: 0.82
GC/90 with: 0
GC/90 without: 1.3
xGD/90 with: +1.35
xGD/90 without: -0.16
That +1.51 difference is 2nd highest in the league of players with between 10-90% of league minutes played
SMITH ROWE STATS:
Let's look at Smith Rowe individually. He has 5 assists this season, most of any Arsenal player and most per 90 of any Arsenal player with 90+ minutes played.
The xGD/90 with vs without is the highest of any U23 player with between 1-99% of minutes played.
Let's look at Smith Rowe individually. He has 5 assists this season, most of any Arsenal player and most per 90 of any Arsenal player with 90+ minutes played.
The xGD/90 with vs without is the highest of any U23 player with between 1-99% of minutes played.
Premier league:
xA/90 - 0.3
7th in the league, and 1st amongst U23s (4+ 90s)
SCA/90 - 3.61
5th itl amongst U23s, 2nd amongst U23s for SCA from live passes
Pressures/90: 15.2
2nd at Arsenal (4+ 90s)
xA/90 - 0.3
7th in the league, and 1st amongst U23s (4+ 90s)
SCA/90 - 3.61
5th itl amongst U23s, 2nd amongst U23s for SCA from live passes
Pressures/90: 15.2
2nd at Arsenal (4+ 90s)
POSITIONING:
Amongst great stats, the real reason for Emile Smith Rowe's impact is where he stands on the pitch.
The diamond formation shown below is how Arsenal have consistently built up under Arteta. The most centrally placed member of the diamond would rarely find space.
Amongst great stats, the real reason for Emile Smith Rowe's impact is where he stands on the pitch.
The diamond formation shown below is how Arsenal have consistently built up under Arteta. The most centrally placed member of the diamond would rarely find space.
This led to Arsenal having to play it around the back, or go wide, hope the wide player can beat a man, and then cross the ball. This not only led to inflated cross counts in November, but poor crosses. If the ball only approached from the wing, the CBs know a cross is coming.
However, ESR as the centrally placed member is able to find space and get the ball in the half space, shown below. This gives the option of playing through the centre, potentially moving the ball wide later, causing defenders to have to deal with more possibilities+creating space
Here his understanding stands out. He just won the ball back and laid it off in 1 touch, sees that Laca has the space and Saka will look to pick him out. Anticipating the defender to be drawn in, he's already sprinting towards the space that will being freed so he can get it back
RELATIONSHIP:
All 3 of his PL assists have been to his fellow Hale Ender in Saka. Their relationship off the pitch, and having played together growing up, gives a deeper understanding, meaning they're able to interchange easily, finally giving Arsenal a well gelled attack.
All 3 of his PL assists have been to his fellow Hale Ender in Saka. Their relationship off the pitch, and having played together growing up, gives a deeper understanding, meaning they're able to interchange easily, finally giving Arsenal a well gelled attack.
Emile Smith Rowe has been sensational. Nominated or won MOTM in every league win he's been a part of, as well as the FA Cup match he played. This thread highlighted the key areas he has succeeded in, and shown he's fast becoming one of the best youngsters in the league.
