Arsenal: Remarkable foul statistics prove Arteta needs physicality

Arsenal are top of the Premier League table. Delving deeper, Mikel Arteta’s side are the top ranking side in Europe’s top five divisions and fourth overall across every league in Europe this season. Well, sort of.

This is in regards to foul frequency across Europe this season as, remarkably, CIES reveal the Gunners’ average of one conceded every 10 minutes and 44 seconds, which totals 317, gives them that standing. Why is that so?

Immediate reactions would be that Arsenal are either smart operators or damn fine tacklers of the ball. Is there is reason to believe otherwise? Arteta’s men have the second most red cards this season with five – nine overall during the Spaniard’s tenure – an issue that sparked heated debate over whether the side suffer from uncontrollable disciplinary problems.

Maybe their barometer for tackling jumps from 1-9? Nicolas Pepe still hasn’t nailed down the perfect headbutt.

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Remarkable foul statistics at Arsenal prove Mikel Arteta needs physicality and the Gunners lack strength

Looking at Arsenal’s defensive record this season, conceding the third fewest goals in the Premier League is an impressive statistic worthy of highlighting. Much of this has spawned from vastly improved organisation at (defensive) set pieces as well as a more conservative approach, predominately in the first half of the season. And, y’know, good defending.

Considering how woeful the run of form was pre-Christmas and to still concede so few goals, the limp displays Arsenal produced coughing up so few fouls signals a side chasing shadows, or lacking bite.

‘Spineless’, ‘no cojones’, ‘frail’ and ‘weak’ are but a few of the derogatory terms used to blanket Arsenal well before the current campaign. Arsene Wenger re-imagined his title winning sides with numerous technically gifted and aesthetically pleasing footballers, the like of whom could rip teams to shreds but also be bullied off the park.

Fear factor and steel has been lacking since. Teams don’t tremble at the thought of Arsenal and given the dearth of physicality within the squad, as exemplified by the statistical lack of ‘getting stuck in’, maybe they’re right to do so.

Why is this so?

Arsenal Lack Physicality Across the Pitch

Depending on how you frame the statistic, it’s both positive and negative. Arsenal have barely conceded any needless fouls which has helped keep their set piece goals conceded down, while also the addition of a fine tackler in Thomas Partey and vast improvements in that front from Granit Xhaka, who wins more than he gives away, have helped.

But imposing figures this Arsenal side are not. Bringing in physical presence isn’t with the aim of conceding more fouls. This stat is not overtly bad. It is with an eye on making Arsenal tougher to beat, harder to play through and more competitive in duels.

Fouls come in all shapes and sizes. Looking at aerial duels, only Southampton have won fewer percentage of theirs than Arsenal this season. If you can’t win the header, at least don’t let the opposition use the break to their advantage.

It filters through into tackles won. Bottom of the pile across the whole division is Arsenal. Their 298 tackles won this season is nearly doubled by Leeds at the top of the pile. Why do Arsenal concede so few fouls? Because they’re not hardened enough to challenge for the 50/50’s. Nobody wants the team to snap the opposing player but it’s too easy for them to win possession and waltz off undeterred. Mentality plays a part, too, of course, as when confidence drains fear sets in.

Winning so few duels is partly down to why Arsenal struggle to sustain pressure. If the ball bounces the odds are stacked favourably in the opposition to assume possession. For second balls either in the air or on the ground, it’s the same result.

Additionally, who has been the shining lights for Arsenal this season? Their academy stars: Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. Both outstanding this season, the pair are carrying the weight of the team on their shoulders. The latter especially, however, is no solid rock. He needs to hit the gym over the summer, even if that’s not his style or profile. Relying on two youngsters as Arsenal have done will impact the team’s overall physicality, thus getting the right bodies around them to add balance is key.

Yves Bissouma and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa have been mentioned, two players who would add brawn into the pitch with the forward areas offering a wealth of talent but without formidable physiques.

Gabriel and Partey were the beginning of a more durable backbone at Arsenal. They’ve contributed, but the team’s ribs are lacking. Edu made this point clear in October three days after the window closed:

"“If you see Gabriel, he gives us a lot of physicality and presence. Thomas, physicality, quality and mentally he is very strong,” he told the official Arsenal website. “In the end if you see all these players we brought to the club, they are very good here (points to legs), but they are better here (points to head) which for me is very important.”"

That attribute must remain part of the player profile heading into the summer window.