Manchester City vs Arsenal: Stats behind Arsenal’s top performers

At the start of the season very few Arsenal fans would have predicted that Mikel Arteta’s side would be top of the league in late April.

The Gunners have exceeded all expectations to mount an unlikely title charge, but their form has dipped slightly in recent weeks with three consecutive draws. They go into a crucial title decider against Manchester City knowing that they need to win at the Etihad Stadium to keep the title race in their own hands.

Arsenal’s squad is the joint-youngest in the Premier League, level with bottom-place Southampton, and some of their most important players are still in their early 20s.

We take a look at the stats behind Arsenal’s top performers...

Arsenal: Star players

The Gunners have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League this season, going from a disappointing fifth-place finish in 2021/22 to a genuine title tilt. Their incredible form has been helped by the performances of a trident of young stars who lead the team in goal-scoring and chance creation.

With thanks to our friends at Sofascore, we take a look at the stats behind Arsenal’s top performers…

Gabriel Martinelli

The forward moved from Brazilian side Ituano at the age of 18 and impressed straight away with his dribbling and direct running. But this season the 21-year-old’s performances have gone to another level and his goal-scoring has made him one of the most feared young forwards in Europe.

Martinelli has scored 15 times in the league this season, joint-fifth alongside Marcus Rashford in the Premier League standings. His finishing has improved dramatically this campaign and his 15 goals have come from just 8.92 xG; a measure of chance quality. This means he has over-performed the average player by around six goals.

His shot conversion rate of 29% is the best of any player to score at least 12 goals in the Premier League this season.

Martin Odegaard

Since taking over the Arsenal captaincy the Norwegian has shown exactly why Real Madrid brought him to the Bernabeu at the age of 15. He may not have broken into Madrid’s star-studded midfield but he has clearly found a home at the Emirates Stadium and is perhaps the most important player in Arteta’s side.

Odegaard’s influence can be seen in his heat map, which covers a huge patch in the Arsenal midfield. He drops deep to build the play but is most creative in the final third, where he picks up pockets of space to the right of centre to combine with Bukayo Saka.

In addition to his play-making talents, Odegaard is enjoying a brilliant season in front of goal. He is currently on 12 Premier League goals, making him the highest scoring midfielder in the league.

Bukayo Saka

Since breaking through at the age of 17 Bukayo Saka has been billed as a future star for the Gunners. Still aged just 21, the Englishman’s performances this season have made him one of the most talked-about young players in Europe.

Saka has scored 13 times in the Premier League and contributed 11 assists. With 24 total goal involvements he is behind only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the Premier League; illustrious company for the young winger.

Aside from his goal-scoring numbers Saka has become increasingly involved in Arsenal’s build-up play this year.

As a left-footer playing on the right he tends to drift inside, where he can combine with Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus. His on-ball intelligence and passing offers a great contrast to the more direct running of Martinelli on the other side.