Numbers don’t add up for Arteta as Arsenal struggles in EPL

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:23 AM CST Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 Last Modified: 9:24 AM CST Monday, Dec. 21, 2020

LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has turned to math and statistics in an attempt to explain the team's poor Premier League form.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

LONDON - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has turned to math and statistics in an attempt to explain the team's poor Premier League form.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2020 (2068 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has turned to math and statistics in an attempt to explain the team’s poor Premier League form.

The London club lost 2-1 at Everton on Saturday and sits 15th in the standings having not won a league game since Nov. 1.

“Last year we won the game against Everton with a 25% chance of winning, you win 3-2,” Arteta said Monday. “Last weekend, it was a 67% chance of winning, any Premier League game in history, and a 9% chance of losing, and you lose — 3% against Burnley and you lose, 7% against Spurs and you lose.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gives instructions to Dani Ceballos, left, from the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Jon Super, Pool)

“There is something else apart from that,” he continued. “It is not just the performance on the pitch, it is something else that needs to go our way and at the moment it doesn’t.”

Data analysis is playing an increasingly important role in soccer, but Arteta’s comments may not calm the nerves of Arsenal fans.

Arteta’s side has taken only two points from its last seven games and only the current bottom three have a worse goal return than the 12 managed by Arsenal in its 14 league games so far this season.

Arsenal plays Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the League Cup on Tuesday.