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Arsenal’s Thomas Partey partner: Zambo Anguissa or Yves Bissouma?

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion runs with the ball under pressure from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Hove Albion runs with the ball under pressure from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on December 16, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Bissouma, Anguissa
Brighton’s Ivorian midfielder Yves Bissouma (R) vies with Fulham’s Cameroonian midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Fulham. (Photo by BRYN LENNON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Statistical Look at Frank Anguissa and Yves Bissouma

Arguments will be made that two players entangled in relegation scraps shouldn’t be on the Gunners’ wishlist. Even if both fall into that bracket, the amount of praise they’ve received from onlookers speaks to their abilities, although not quite as much as the statistics do.

As per fbref*, Bissouma and Anguissa both rank in the top six Premier League midfielders for tackles made this season – the 25-year-old ranking higher than any other central midfielder in the division for tackles in the final third. As for interceptions, only Declan Rice has made more than the Cameroonian, who averages roughly 2.3 per 90 minutes. Bissouma, meanwhile, sits on a lower figure in the region of 1.3.

With Arsenal possessing the likes of Emile Smith Rowe in their side, they’ve gravitated themselves towards becoming an effective counter-pressing unit. It’s still a work in progress, of course, but the necessity to win the ball back rapidly is essential – and even on the occasions where it isn’t wrestled back, mobility and agility are required to recover in such situations. Both the two players mentioned possess great engines and superb work-rate.

When it comes to their traits on the ball, Anguissa stands out. Not just between the two, but indeed among all players in the Premier League in his position. Remarkably, only Adama Traore has completed more dribbles than him – 72 at the time of writing – and his 79.1% success rate is bettered by only four players to have attempted 20 or more dribbles (one of whom is Ceballos). Fulham provide the platform for the midfielder to express his talents and he duly accepts.

It isn’t as much Bissouma’s remit, but he still manages a 63.8% success rate from 47 attempted. As for progressive carries, Bissouma averages 4.34 per 90 minutes, with Anguissa sitting on 5.98 per 90 minutes. In his position, only five rank higher.

Creatively, Anguissa offers a greater threat. Both are fairly equal in passes leading to a shot per 90 minutes (≈1.5), but the Cameroonian’s dribbles are an ideal press and line-breaking tool, having directly resulted in two goals. Bissouma hasn’t completed a dribble leading to a shot.

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