Introduction
We have looked at this match before, in our pre-match outlook and not it is time to return to this fixture and see how the teams fared against each other.
You can open the image above in a new tab to get a better view of all the ratings. There are some peculiarities, so we will take a look at some of the categories in more detail.
Off The Ball
Manchester City generated nearly no value from tackles, but have been highly successful in intercepting the ball in space, in positions of offensive and defensive value. Arsenal on the other hand did well in tackles, especially in defensively valuable positions, and just about average in intercepts and their defensive value. Both though, tackles and intercepts, are slightly below average and below what the team has shown before this season, when it comes to offensives considerations of the positions they contested.
Build-up
Manchester City generated nearly no value from tackles, but have been highly successful in intercepting the ball in space, in positions of offensive and defensive value. Arsenal on the other hand did well in tackles, especially in defensively valuable positions, and just about average in intercepts and their defensive value. Both though, tackles and intercepts, are slightly below average and below what the team has shown before this season, when it comes to offensives considerations of the positions they contested.
In Front of Goal
This also ties into how much the teams succeeded in getting the ball into dangerous, offensively valuable positions. Manchester City achieved a 10 here, with Arsenal’s defense being overwhelmed and leaking. Arsenal though managed a lowly 3.4, which is below league average and well below their own season average.
Interestingly, City then was not able to turn all that into shot opportunities at the same level, when you look at the Shots rating. Arsenal’s defense seem have been occupied with inhibiting City’s attempts at goal, covering the angles, and only allowed opportunities below City’s season average and far below what could have been expected looking at the exceptional Delivery rating. Arsenal managed to get some shots in, but again remained below expectations there.
Neither team a good day in front of goal, with efficiency in converting their chances into actual goals significantly below average.
Summary
Both had some imbalances in their individual setup. Given the idiosyncrasies of how this match went down and how the teams played against each other, also both sides will be able to learn something from this encounter.
It’s going to be interesting to see if this will lead to changes for the challenges ahead.
Author:
Michael Markefka
Head of Analytics @matchmetrics
e-mail: m.markefka@matchmetrics.com
