2022-23 has gone better than anyone at Arsenal could have ever imagined, with the Gunners topping the table for the vast majority of the campaign. After sixteen matches, only two sides have taken points off Arteta's men, with the Spaniard's side becoming completely solidified at all ends of the pitch. Here is our analysis of Arteta's Arsenal in 2022-23.
The use of probability models in football to calculate Expected Goals, Expected Goals Conceded and Expected Points, have taken off to new heights in recent years - with more fans, coaches, managers and even players paying attention to these hypothetical numbers. Between statistical probability, the actual result, and the expectations for all that has been produced, we analyze how many points each team should have won in each match, based on Expected Points.
In this jam-packed episode John and Declan are joined by Ziming Gao to discuss the possibility of the Premier League pressing pause on their season, as COVID rears its ugly head. As the weekend draws closer and games still haven't been cancelled, the lads break down what's to come in this weekend's match-ups, and they even recap the midweek events. All of that and a whole lot more in this episode!
In this jam-packed episode, John and Declan talk about whether Arteta and Hasenhuttl should freshen up their job applications, if a Chelsea collapse is imminent, and how the Hammers will cope with only 2 healthy centre-backs. The boys then get into a debate about just how much a chance Villa have in their visit to the Merseyside, singing the praises of Steven Gerrard and his start to life at his new club. Submit any questions for the show to themastermindsite.com/contact.
Since arriving at Manchester United in the summer of 2018, Fred has been under a microscope with each and every passing minute. Every action he takes on a football pitch seems to be scrutinized by those trying to justify his shortcomings, or those, like me, trying to justify why those shortcomings aren't actually so short. In recent weeks, the calls for Fred to be crowned one of United's most important players have only grown, as he performs a more attack-minded role within the team's double-pivot. So today, I present to you a dossier all about Manchester United's Fred, and why Manchester United would be worse without him.
This week on a special combo review and preview podcast, John and Declan are joined again by Brennan McCaffray to talk about the Merseyside derby, United's win against Arsenal, and the London derby between Chelsea and West Ham this weekend!
On this special midweek episode of the Longball podcast, John is over the moon with Rangnick's announcement and United's performance against Chelsea. Meanwhile, Declan is concerned about the Hammers' recent run of form, and the boys try and get to the bottom of what's gone wrong with Everton this season ahead of their clash with Liverpool. All of that and a whole lot more on this special episode of the Longball Premier League Preview Show. Submit any questions for the show to themastermindsite.com/contact.
On this week's Longball Preview Show, John is over the moon as United appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager. John is without Declan this week, but he's joined by Bundesliga Weekly's Brandon Wallis to discuss all things Crystal Palace and their transformation this season; the Newcastle-Arsenal clash and Chelsea vs Manchester United. Follow the show and beyond via @mastermindsite on social media.
While star players may make the headlines, managers are the ones pulling the strings and dictating how the game is played. Over the years, the Premier League has seen countless shifts in the trends of managerial tactics, though there is one man who proved himself a world-leading shot-caller over the span of three decades: Sir Alex Ferguson.
This week John and Declan are joined by Gooner fanatic Brennan McCaffray to talk about Arsenal's rise from the ashes under Arteta, set to face Liverpool this weekend in a fiery affair. The lads also give their takes on Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith's arrivals back to the Prem with new clubs, and the battle of the tacticians this weekend as Bielsa and Conte face off. All of that and a whole lot more on this week's episode!
After Roy Hodgson's retirement from the game, many thought Crystal Palace were doomed for relegation. However, with a couple of new signings and a more energetic, attack-minded style of play, Patrick Vieira has taken Palace to new heights. While they sit just tenth place in the table, Vieira's Eagles have now gone unbeaten in their last six matches, including a massive 2-0 win to set title-contenders Manchester City back a peg. Even in matches they've lost the season, the signs of what's to come from Palace in the future are promising. So with that, here is a tactical analysis of Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace.
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