Arsenal kicked off their 2022/2023 EPL campaign against Crystal Palace this week, and they hope to continue with their flawless pre-season campaign. The Gunners seem determined to finish the race in the top four after spending £120 million on new signings. If they’re successful, this will be the first time that Arsenal finishes in the top four since the 2015/2016 season.
Although the pre-season is usually about improving the players’ fitness levels and helping new players connect with the team, manager Mikel Arteta has been encouraged by their performance and results. According to Arteta, his men have had a mixture of time in London where they played competitive matches against different opponents and formations.
Here are impressive stats you might have missed on VN sports news from Arsenal’s pre-season campaign.
- Arsenal played Sevilla, Chelsea, Orlando City, Everton, Ipswich Town and Nurnberg during their pre-season friendlies campaign and won all six matches.
- The Gunners have now won 11 out of their last 13 games in all competitions, including the pre-season friendlies.
- While there aren’t any stats for Arsenal’s friendly match against Ipswich, the team has averaged 17.6 shots per game, 479.4 passes per game and 8.6 shots on target.
- Mikel Arteta‘s men scored 25 goals in all six pre-season matches, averaging 4.16 goals per game.
- Since Orlando’s Facundo Torres scored the equalizer against Arsenal, the Gunners have recorded 13 goals and conceded none.
- Sevilla conceded 30 goals in their 38 La Liga matches last season, but the Gunners recorded six goals against them in a single game.
- Gabriel Jesus recorded seven goals in five games during Arsenal’s pre-season run, averaging a goal every 37.85 minutes.
- Eddie Nketiah was Arsenal’s second top-scorer after scoring five pre-season goals, with Bukayo Saka coming in third with four goals.
- Despite playing a single game in the Emirates Cup, Gabriel Jesus is currently the third top scorer in the competition’s history after recording a hat-trick in Arsenal’s victory over Sevilla.
- Gabriel Martinelli recorded one goal during the pre-season and showcased his impressive creativity after setting up five goals in five matches.
- Gabriel Jesus has recorded more goals for the Gunners than Alexandre Lacazette recorded (6) in 36 games last season.
- Arsenal have managed to make their defense tighter during the pre-season, only conceding five goals and recording three clean sheets.
- Arsenal is yet to concede any goals when starting William Saliba, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel together in the back.
- Saliba played for 282 minutes during Arsenal’s pre-season run, and the team didn’t concede any goals in that time.
What’s next for Arsenal this Season?
This season, the Gunners will participate in the Europa League race. The Europa League games will make a huge difference compared to last season, as the few extra games on their schedule might affect their players’ fitness. That might play a major role in the team’s overall outcome in their Premier League campaign.
Arsenal has adequately prepared for the new season, with their new signings taking part in their pre-season games. Jesus will undoubtedly be among the players that Arsenal will be watching this season after showing glimpses of the incredible skills he brings to the team. Other promising incomings to the team include Fabio Viera, Matt Turner, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Marquinhos.