Arsenal: Efficiency the name of the game against Fulham

Arsenal did a lot of things right against Fulham, but the most important thing they did right was taking their chances. Otherwise it might’ve been different.

Arsenal put in a resounding effort at Craven Cottage to dispel any early, first half hopes garnered by Fulham. The Gunners opened the scoring just past the half hour mark, but the hosts were quick to answer with a goal of their own before half-time.

It looked to be a pretty even fight as the half-time whistle blew, but the Gunners were quick to dispel that false pretense, and they didn’t look back. They scored goal after goal, finishing at four in the second half, to extend their lengthy lead in the Premier League of goals scored in the second half.

But the name of the game against Fulham wasn’t in a copious amount of chances. In fact, it was anything but. The name of the game was taking the chances that they had, because there weren’t many at all.

Each fullback created one chance a piece. Both were put home for goals. Remarkably, they were put home in very similar fashion, with low crosses being settled to perfection towards the box by either forward and then being subsequently slotted home.

Aubameyang and Ramsey also each created a chance for each other, both of which were put home for goals.

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Four chances, four goals.

The only other chances created came from Danny Welbeck, who created three of his own. One of which was a twirling, headed effort that ended up being a goal as well.

Which, all in all, equates to just seven chances created, and five goals scored. The Gunners only had seven shots on target as well, five of which went in. By all rights, Hector Bellerin should have had a goal as well, but for a fantastic save by Bettinelli.

That is a remarkable conversion percentage of 71% goals scored per chance created. That’s something that you don’t sustain long, but in the moment of it happening, it’s quite remarkable. Every attacking build-up ended up in the back of the net.

Compare that to the rest of the season. This club has created 79 chances, scoring 19 times. That’s 24% conversion from chance to goal. Which is actually the best percentage among all other Premier League teams. Meaning that efficiency is becoming the name of the game for Unai Emery. Period. No Fulham required.

Still, against Fulham it was a cut above the usual, and it was an absolute joy to watch.