Without a doubt, Willian’s Arsenal stats ranked him as one of the worst-performing players last season. He is rated 18th in the squad based on form and is the lowest ranking winger in the EPL. Despite this, he’s created the most big chances, leads the assist charts, and ranks as one of our best creative threats.
It’s so ironic that it’s hilarious, and this can only happen at Arsenal. Objectively speaking, one of the worst players at the club is also one of the best players at the club.
You’ve gotta laugh at it (I certainly did), and I figured we could all do with a break from the usual negativity. So here are the facts of Willian’s terrible yet ‘brilliant’ 2021 season.
The good: Willian's Arsenal Stats Rank him as our Top Creator in the EPL
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Willian Arsenal Squad EPL Rankings
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Category
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Number
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Ranking
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Assists
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5
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1st
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Crosses per game
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1.1
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1st
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*Goal creating actions Per 90m
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-
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1st
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*Passes to teammate in penalty area per 90m
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1.92
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1st
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Big Chances Created
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5
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1st (Joint)
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Successful Crosses
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27
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2nd
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Total Key Passes
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32
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2nd
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Key passes per game
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1.3
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3rd
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Source: Kickest + *Tfio
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As you can see, Willian’s stats rank in the top 3 for most attacking metrics for a winger. I don’t know if this says more about the quality of the team or the strange decisions by Mikel Arteta.
Creativity from central midfield was a curse over last season. Smith-Rowe and Odegaard were late introductions to the side, triggered mainly by default due to injuries.
Mikel also favoured affording Willian game time over other players who may have benefitted from a place in the side. So this explains why Willian was the king of assists last season.
Something surprising, although not shocking, is Willian leading the team in goal-creating actions per 90. He also posted the most passes to a teammate in the penalty area, contributing some nice interplay in forward areas.
Giving credit where credit is due, Willian was tidy in possession last season. He linked up well in the final third and helped to retain the ball in tricky situations across the pitch. He also filled the void of natural technical ability in midfield for the first half of the season. That being said…
The bad: Rank average player overall for Arsenal in the league
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Willian Arsenal Squad EPL Rankings
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Category
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Number
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Ranking
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Successful Dribbles
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13
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8th
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Total Shots
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20
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8th
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Shots per Game
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0.9
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9th
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Total Dribbles
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18
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11th
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Shot conversion rate
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5%
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14th
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Shots on Target
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3
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14th
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Goals
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1
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15th (Joint 19th)
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Average passes per game
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27.1
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18th
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Dribles per game
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0.7
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17th
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Overall Ranking as Winger
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6th
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Worst Winger
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Source: Kickest
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This is where his stats become very contradictory. Willian’s general play was meh at best all season. He had no intensity and was always on the periphery.
To start with, an average match rating of 6.65 places him 18th overall. Funnily enough, this is only 2 places below Kieran Tierney in 16th (6.68). I don’t know if Willian’s rating is based on U18’s football or some kids in the park. But there you have it.
He scored just 1 goal across the entire premier league campaign and only had 3 shots on target. For reference, Mohammed El-sideways scored 1 league goal. Defenders Gabriel (4) and Hecky Becky (5) had more shots on target.
Finally, in 25 appearances, Willian only attempted 18 dribbles (0.7 per game, 17th worst in the squad) and contributed just 27.1 passes a game.
In fairness to Willian; Pepe, Lacazette, and Aubameyang average fewer passes per match. But this is buoyed by each player averaging 20 goal contributions across all competitions. Willian, by comparison, totalled 8.
And The So Typically Arsenal
We can definitively say that Willian is both crap and our most effective winger in the premier league. As I said, you’ve got to laugh about it. At the same time, it’s not funny at all. It pretty much just goes to show how f*cked we are right now.
We’re a unique club. Unique in that Willian’s contract lasts for 2 more years. Unique too, in that, we couldn’t see the folly in paying him £192k per week at 32 years old.
But with stats like last season, the Arsenal board can feel fully vindicated that their decision is working out. Edu and co have everything to hand, and the future is bright.
Insert the clown music and laughing emojis and bring on the rest of pre-season.
We got off to a flyer and have lots of easy games to look forward to in Rangers, Inter Milan, Everton, Chelsea, and Tottenham. I can’t see why we shouldn’t do well in most, if not all, those games. Can you? [side note they just got cancelled due to a Covid outbreak]
I’ll see you next time. Up the… Uh… Arsenal…?