In an open letter to Tottenham Hotspur’s fan base on the finish of the 2021 season, chairman Daniel Levy harassed that the membership will search to nominate a supervisor who can present “free, attacking and entertaining” soccer – which they They have been on the lookout for Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian has turned Spurs into probably the most pressure-packed group within the Premier League. When you take a look at the chart beneath, from left to proper, Tottenham have gained extra excessive turnovers than another group thus far this season. Dealing with the upcoming opponents, Arsenal is in a mid-table place.
On the chart, you may as well see that solely Manchester Metropolis usually win the ball again larger up the pitch – a metric referred to as ‘beginning distance’. Subsequently, Spurs presently win the ball again roughly 46m from their very own aim.
They cleared the path in north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – reside sky sports activities This Sunday – it gained’t be any completely different.
Ainge’s aggressiveness and affect on the group is clearly evident within the image beneath. Earlier than his arrival, Tottenham have been sitting simply 40m from their very own aim firstly of a interval.
Since then, Tottenham has superior practically six meters. that’s plenty of. They’ve gone from a stable group to a innovative Manchester Metropolis facet.
Their efforts additionally paid off. Final season, Spurs ranked second in possession, second in ahead passes and fourth in ending. Their defensive effort is translating right into a menace on the different finish of the courtroom.
It is a new season however there’s nothing new for Spurs as they give the impression of being set to proceed their mercurial type of play.
Test this out: Who has caught probably the most balls within the remaining third underneath stress this season? Let’s check out De Bruyne. Subsequent on the record? Maddison, then Son Heung-min, then Polo – a full-back!
After all, there is a draw back to all this. Their trademark excessive press and focus on sustaining possession throughout the pitch left them susceptible to counter-attacks.
As you may see on this chart, United had extra comebacks than another group final season with the counter reaching the ultimate third – we knew this was a difficulty for United final season.
Sunday, September 15, 2:00 p.m.
Begins at 2:00 pm
We additionally know that Newcastle’s protection is poor and they’re high of the 5 groups.
The Spurs are sixth from the underside. Given their offensive strengths, possibly this high-risk method is price it?
The alarm bells gained’t cease ringing both. While you evaluate Tottenham and Arsenal final season, Ange’s facet conceded greater than twice as many objectives as Arsenal.
Solely six groups have conceded extra objectives than Spurs. Then there’s the sensitive topic of set-pieces, which is understood to annoy Anjie.
Tottenham scored 23 objectives from lifeless balls final season, second solely to Nottingham Forest (27) and Sheffield United (24).
In stark distinction to Tottenham, Arsenal conceded a league-low 29 objectives. Even their anticipated objectives towards margin is the bottom within the league – suggesting there’s a component of luck concerned.
However the query is, after Declan Rice’s purple card towards Brighton and Hove Albion, will Arsenal’s backline miss out on his efficiency in entrance of them?
These numbers present that he accomplished 97.1 p.c of his passes underneath stress — a better proportion than any of his teammates.
Dropping a cool, cool and picked up determine like Rice would have an effect on any group – however can Spurs exploit this newfound weak point in Arsenal’s squad?
Spurs usually permit their opponents simply 6.3 passes earlier than urgent and inflicting defensive motion – 2 fewer than Arsenal, even with Rice main the way in which.
Postkoglu is but to style a derby victory, along with his facet choosing up only one level from final season’s competitors.
Nonetheless, with the soccer philosophy he has instilled on this group of gamers, and the wealth of expertise in each place, he’s able to securing all three factors towards a depleted Arsenal this spherical.
