Thank you! And great stint at Opta 👏
Posts by Nick Wright
What's behind Arsenal's recent issues in attack? There are tactical and mentality questions but it's technical too. Column looks at how Mikel Arteta can change it and why Kai Havertz could help against Man City. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
An audience with Kai Havertz in Leverkusen. He was honest and insightful on his injury problems and his “new hunger” after overcoming the “worst pain” of his career. Big occasion for him tonight against his former club. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Column is on Eberechi Eze. Devastating against Spurs in November, peripheral since. Why has he struggled and how can Arsenal unlock him? Touch locations, availability between the lines, striker combinations, off-ball work and best position covered. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
One of Kai Havertz or Mikel Merino has scored in each of Arsenal's last four wins against Brentford. This really is their kind of game. Big blow to lose both against such a physical opponent. Interested to see how Arsenal get on but it's a test. #afc
Switching the emphasis to inswinging deliveries and the "meat wall" in action. Piece here on how Liverpool have transformed their threat from corners after Virgil van Dijk scored their third corner goal in four Premier League games. #lfc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Arsenal are the first team in Europe's top-five leagues to reach 20 clean sheets in all competitions this season. That's 20 clean sheets in 38 games. Absurdly good side out of possession. #afc
Senne Lammens doesn’t get talked about much but that’s usually a good sign in his position. Radar column is on his impact for Man Utd and the benefits of having a “boring” goalkeeper. #mufc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Which Premier League teams are most and least effective against low blocks? Found it interesting to look at data on this. Aston Villa come out well. Arsenal, Liverpool find it much tougher. www.skysports.com/football/new...
Column is on Arsenal's striker puzzle. Did Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres give Mikel Arteta a selection headache against Inter Milan? Or did they actually make it quite simple for him? Plus, why Kai Havertz's return can't come soon enough. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
His name pops up near the top of so many of these lists
A Manchester derby flavour to the column this week. How Semenyo is already adding variety to Man City's front line + why attack might be best form of defence for Carrick... with Fernandes back at No 10? #mcfc #mufc
www.skysports.com/football/new...
What’s behind the rise of set-piece goals in the Premier League? Why are Arsenal excelling and Liverpool struggling? Are Leeds the best long throwers? Inswinging deliveries vs outswingers, corner locations + more. A deep dive with our data editor Adam Smith. www.skysports.com/football/new...
A few habits to be tweaked. But think also worth keeping in mind he was signed in part because he is different in style+personality to other options. Need to find a balance defensively without losing that.
Eventful half for Madueke. Always a threat but think first 15 minutes a good illustration of why he hasn’t had many minutes lately. Biggest challenge for any wide forward coming into Arsenal is matching the consistency of Saka, Martinelli and Trossard’s defensive application. #afc
Arsenal have named nine different defensive combinations in the last 10 Premier League games, having only named three in the first 10. And yet they’ve picked up points at almost exactly the same rate. Shows value of depth. Now Marc Guehi linked too... #afc
That would probably be good for my sanity given the state of the other one.
Yes! That's an oversight, thanks for flagging.
Must remember to post here more. Here's a column on the significance of Martin Odegaard's return to form for Arsenal. Putting up some strong numbers this season despite injury issues. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Column on Liverpool's continued issues against teams going direct. Struggling to adapt to the increase in long passes but last season was the outlier, not this one. Robin Roefs, Sunderland, second balls, and why Leeds are another awkward opponent. #lfc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Piece on Piero Hincapie, the defensive "beast" who "broke the GPS" with his physical performance at boyhood club Independiente del Valle. Will he become an Arsenal starter? "He will take a place," says his former coach. "You will see."
www.skysports.com/football/new...
Piece on Andre Harriman-Annous after a(nother) great night for Arsenal's Hale End academy.
• Earning Mikel Arteta's trust in training
• Change of position that sped up his progress
• Signing pro deal despite other clubs' interest
www.skysports.com/football/new...
Fascinating to interview Fabian Hurzeler yesterday.
• How to beat Man Utd
• Breaking down back fives
• Why he puts players over system
• Dealing with long balls
• Playing with courage
• Tough love with Carlos Baleba
#bhafc
www.skysports.com/football/new...
Arsenal have only allowed 5.32 expected goals against in their first 10 games of the season despite going to Man Utd, Liverpool and Newcastle and playing Man City at home. One open-play goal conceded. Seven clean sheets. Seriously impressive. #afc
Cheers Andrew. Trent is obviously unique but I do think importance of chemistry and cohesion is underrated generally in age of transfer mania. Think I'm right in saying Chiesa is the only player Liverpool signed in the summers before their last two title wins?
Totally agree.
In The Radar column this week:
• Salah’s struggle without Trent
• Arsenal’s absurd defensive stats
• Potter’s exit and Nuno’s impact
#lfc #afc #whufc
www.skysports.com/football/new...
Timing players tying their shoelaces, revolutionising training, promoting a raft of academy players, banning directors from the dressing room. As Jose Mourinho returns to Benfica, the story of the "explosive" 11-game spell in 2000 that put him on road to greatness. www.skysports.com/football/new...
Arsenal have a higher squad value compared to cost than any other Premier League club by a huge distance. It owes a lot to the incredible productivity of their academy. Piece here on Max Dowman’s breakthrough and how Hale End is shaping the club's future. #afc www.skysports.com/football/new...
Piece on IF Brommapojkarna, maybe Europe’s most fascinating club. Gyokeres, Bergvall, Kulusevski all products. “No fans,” to quote their sporting director, but a vast academy and an existence geared towards selling Sweden’s top talents for maximum profit. #afc #thfc www.skysports.com/football/new...