![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/CIES-InStat-PI-ARS-Top10-copy.png\")
<\/figure>Arteta’s priority was defensive stability, both to stop shipping goals and because it is his platform for attack. He made progress, as the switch to a default back four from a five attested. Eight of the ten highest-ranking Arsenal players in the CIES\/InStat Performance Index, which measures players\u2019 contribution to team success across the season, were defenders \u2014 Gabriel, Chambers, Mari, C\u00e9dric Soares, David Luiz, Beller\u00edn, Tierney and Holding in that order.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Better organisation, fewer, though far from no individual mistakes, and the rediscovery of a capacity to dig in and defend when backs were to the wall were the key. Without turning this into a stats-fest, the numbers show the defence got better at defusing attacks while the double pivot protected the back line more securely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On average, Bernd Leno had 30% fewer shots to deal with each game than the previous season. Consequently, we conceded one goal or less in 47 of our 59 games in all competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The defence also became more comfortable playing out from the back to break high presses \u2014 even if that was not necessarily true of those watching them doing it. It still looked vulnerable to counterattacks when run at directly and at speed. When the backline got pulled out of shape, it could quickly look extremely ragged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirty-three-year old David Luiz and Gabriel, ten years his junior, settled as first-choice centre backs with Holding and Mari as backups, following the January clear out that saw Sokratis and Mustafi released. David Luiz’s various absences meant Rob played the most games. He benefited from regular football, settling into Arteta\u2019s way of playing and improving all-round, particularly in forward passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At full back, neither Bellerin nor Soares could make the right-sided position their own, providing an unexpected opportunity for Calum Chambers to grab. On the left, Tierney, when fit, was an automatic first-choice, but Arteta had to make do as best he could for the frequent periods when KT3 was out, especially after Kolasinac was shipped out on loan. Xhaka was fine there defensively, but at the cost of midfield stability, just as using Saka meant less attacking creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With David Luiz gone, whether Arteta brings in an experienced centre back to partner Gabriel will indicate how much he trusts Holding as the senior right-sided centre back and how much opportunity he will give Saliba to establish his credentials. The manager can probably box and cox his way through another season at right-back if necessary, depending on whether Bellerin and Soares leave. Still, an upgrade would be welcome now and essential at some point. Buying cover and competition for KT3 is an urgent priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goalkeepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Bernd Leno <\/strong>\u2014 A couple of howlers that cost goals and some rough spots, especially early in the season, reopened the argument about whether selling Martinez and keeping him had been the right decision. But he consistently produced crucial saves, and his overall performances improved as the season progressed. The final record shows 48 goals conceded in 49 games in all competitions and 16 clean sheets. With ter Stegen injured, Leno will be Neuer’s backup for Germany at the Euros, which speaks to his quality and recovered form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13. Alex R\u00fanarsson <\/strong>\u2014 Precious little was seen of the Icelander, which was for the best. An underwhelming if emergency signing that should be undone in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 33. Mat Ryan <\/strong>\u2014 On-loan from Brighton since January, the Australian international looked good enough to be competition for Leno, not just an experienced backup. He should be signed permanently or at least secured on loan for the full season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out on loan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dejan Iliev \u2014 <\/strong>At 26, he is too old for the U-23s, but the closest he has got to a first-team appearance is sitting on the bench three times. Likely be let go this summer or next when his contract runs out with better-regarded prospects coming up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming up through the ranks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arthur Okonkwo<\/strong> and Karl Hein<\/strong>, who will likely be keeping for Estonia at the Euros, look the pick of a herd of young keepers at the club. Both 18-year-olds trained regularly with the first team and will be looking to be the ‘third keeper’ next season if R\u00fanarsson goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. H<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong>ctor Beller\u00edn <\/strong>\u2014 Improvement on the previous season was there but mixed. Hector was still short of his pre-injury best. The conviction grows that he always will be, having lost the half a yard of pace that was crucial to his attacking and defending. Unable to make his old spot his own again, he may leave in the summer after ten years with the club. A fresh start may rejuvenate him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.<\/strong> Kieran Tierney<\/strong> \u2014 A player of commitment and character, KT3 was one of the first names on the team sheet when fit. However, injury again restricted his minutes, even if he is the embodiment of Irn Bru \u2014 made from girders. Our attack was a more dynamic threat on the left whenever he played. Few defenders in Europe matched his attacking and possession stats, but his defensive ones were disproportionately down the pack. He needs cover and competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17. C<\/strong>\u00e9<\/strong>dric Soares <\/strong>\u2014 A touch error-prone, but did well enough when called on, including to fill in at left-back. His defensive stats were better than Bellerin or Tierney’s, although worse than his previous season’s. He fell from Arteta’s graces for reasons obscure towards the end of the season. His long-term contract makes it likely the club will try to move him on in the summer if Arteta is not going to play him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 21. Calum Chambers \u2014 <\/strong>Last summer, who would have expected him to end the season as first-choice right-back, or even when he returned from injury in December? His experience at CB and DM helped him play the way Arteta wants of his right-backs, and he crosses better than Bellerin or Soares. At 26, he is yet to establish himself in the side. With a year left on his contract, next season will be make-or-break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emergency cover <\/strong>\u2014Xhaka and Saka filled in competently at left-back but at the cost of weakening the team in other areas. A backup left-back is a priority summer signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out on loan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 31. Sead Kolasinac <\/strong>\u2014 Shipped out to Schalke in January to no one’s dismay, despite being the only cover for KT3, which says it all. He is likely to be sold or given away this summer even though he still has a year left on his contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15.<\/strong> Ainsley Maitland-Niles<\/strong> \u2014 Possibly cheating to include him as a full back, but most of his appearances before going out on loan were in that position and he had the potential to make it his own if he had followed Lauren’s example and overcome his misgivings about being converted from a central midfielder into a full back. Hard to see him not being sold unless he has a conversion on the road back from the Hawthorns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming up through the ranks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ryan Alebiosu <\/strong>and Daniel Oyegoke<\/strong> on the right and Joel Lopez <\/strong>on the left appear to be the nominated up-and-coming full backs, but none is ready for prime time. The U-18’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy is a longer-term hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Gabriel<\/strong> \u2014 The pick of our defenders across the season, despite only turning 23 in December, playing his first season in the Premiership and contracting Covid-19 mid-season. A big, burly defender, he was powerful in the air but skillful enough to carry the ball out off defence. The flip side was some ungainly challenges and newbie decision-making. Improvement should come with experience. The raw material of a top-class centre-back is there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 16. Rob Holding<\/strong> \u2014 A solid season re-established Rob in the team after injury. With David Luiz’s missing many matches, he ended up the fourth most used player, with performances improving as the season progressed. He is an unflashy but determined defender first and foremost, but at 25, he still has to make himself an automatic first choice for Arteta. That may happen next season, absent new arrivals, but he will be looking over his shoulder at Saliba’s progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 22. Pablo Mari<\/strong> \u2014 Like Soares, a loan signing given a permanent contract. Injury restricted him to a handful of games before February. Calm and mostly assured, he paired well with Holding. He is a better defender than he is often given credit. Yet, it is hard to see him displacing Gabriel as first-choice left-sided CB. He will remain a quality backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 23. David Luiz<\/strong> \u2014 An influential and enthusiastic figure on and off the field, but missed many games because of injury. However, unlike another Chelsea pensioner, he justified the high price paid for his experience and leadership. One of the best long-range passers at the club, but his defending could be as erratic as heroic. Not renewing his contract was the right decision, and at 34, he leaves the club in good standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out on loan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. William Saliba<\/strong> \u2014 A rocky first half, mainly with the U-23s when he would have been better out on loan. Once he got to Nice in January, his season picked up, earning increasingly good reviews. Will get a fresh start with Arteta in preseason to determine whether the 20-year old super-prospect is ready for a first-team squad place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Konstantinos Mavropanos<\/strong> \u2014 A second season-long loan in Germany at Stuttgart, was blighted by injury but earned decent reviews when he was fit. The 23-year old Greek last played a senior game for us in December 2019. It is difficult to see him playing another one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Arsenal appearances<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Released<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Socrates Papastathopoulos <\/strong>\u2014 Left out of the Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the season and given only a couple of U-23 games. He was released in January, joining Olympiacos with whom he won the Greek Super League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Arsenal appearances<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 20. Shkodran Mustafi<\/strong> \u2014 Another frozen out by Arteta as a suspected member of the \u00d6zil cabal. Joined Schalke on a free transfer in the January window. With Schalke relegated and his six-month contract expired, he is now without a club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming up through the ranks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel Ballard<\/strong> won plaudits and promotion with Blackpool and inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad. Of the young centre-halves at the club, he looks to have the best chance of breaking through to the first team. The U-18s’s Zane Monlouis and Alex Kirk are longer-term prospects. But it is a long time since an Academy centre back made the grade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The defence improved. Thirty-nine goals were conceded in the league against 48 the previous season; third-tightest defence after Chelsea and Man City as opposed to eighth-best in 2019-20. Twelve clean sheets were two more than during the previous league campaign and fifth-best in the league (ninth-best in 2019-20). Yet, the improvement was not consistent enough […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3545"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3608,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545\/revisions\/3608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 35<\/td> 0<\/td> 2<\/td> 3,132<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 49<\/td> 0<\/td> 6<\/td> 4,422<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 0<\/td> 1<\/td> 21<\/td> 15<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 5<\/td> 1<\/td> 27<\/td> 465<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 3<\/td> 0<\/td> 11<\/td> 270<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 3<\/td> 0<\/td> 12<\/td> 270<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Full backs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/FBs-Defensive-action600.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 24<\/td> 1<\/td> 9<\/td> 2,093<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 32<\/td> 3<\/td> 14<\/td> 2,775<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 26<\/td> 1<\/td> 0<\/td> 2,301<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 32<\/td> 6<\/td> 3<\/td> 2,927<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 3<\/td> 0<\/td> 11<\/td> 745<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 19<\/td> 5<\/td> 20<\/td> 1,779<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 8<\/td> 2<\/td> 8<\/td> 752<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 11<\/td> 5<\/td> 13<\/td> 1,306<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 1<\/td> 0<\/td> 3<\/td> unknown<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 8<\/td> 2<\/td> 3<\/td> unknown<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 5<\/td> 6<\/td> 8<\/td> 485<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 13<\/td> 8<\/td> 10<\/td> 1,183<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Centre backs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/CBs-Defensive-actions600.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 22<\/td> 1<\/td> 11<\/td> 1,996<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 31<\/td> 1<\/td> 15<\/td> 2,806<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 28<\/td> 2<\/td> 5<\/td> 2,557<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 36<\/td> 3<\/td> 11<\/td> 3,321<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 10<\/td> 0<\/td> 7<\/td> 900<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 16<\/td> 0<\/td> 13<\/td> 1,470<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 17<\/td> 3<\/td> 2<\/td> 1,396<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 27<\/td> 3<\/td> 5<\/td> 2,281<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 0<\/td> 0<\/td> 0<\/td> 0<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 2<\/td> 0<\/td> 2<\/td> 0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/td> Starts<\/td> Sub<\/td> Unused Sub<\/td> Minutes<\/td><\/tr> PL<\/td> 0<\/td> 3<\/td> 6<\/td> 43<\/td><\/tr> All comps<\/td> 6<\/td> 3<\/td> 7<\/td> 534<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n