Mohamed Salah Feels the Absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Support as Arsenal’s Defense Strengthens on The Radar
Exploring Premier League Dynamics: Salah, Liverpool’s Challenges, and Arsenal’s Defensive Strength
Welcome to The Radar from Emegypt, where we explore key stories shaping the Premier League landscape, using a mix of data and expert opinions. This week, we delve into Mohamed Salah’s recent challenges, Arsenal’s defensive prowess, and changes at West Ham. We also spotlight players to watch this weekend.
Mohamed Salah and the Impact of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Absence
Liverpool’s star Mohamed Salah is experiencing an unusual dip in form. Following a strong season that helped secure the Premier League title, Salah’s statistics have dropped across the board—ranging from goal involvements to touches in the opposition box. What’s driving this change?
One major factor seems to be the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid. The right-back’s chemistry with Salah on Liverpool’s right flank was crucial, offering line-breaking passes that set up scoring opportunities. Last season, Alexander-Arnold provided Salah with 147 line-breaking passes, far exceeding any other Premier League pairing.
Although Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Dominik Szoboszlai are stepping in, they have yet to fill the void. Szoboszlai manages 3.5 line-breaking passes per 90 minutes compared to Alexander-Arnold’s 5.6, leading to a noticeable dip in Salah’s performance.
Arsenal’s Defensive Resilience and Title Ambitions
As Liverpool navigates its challenges, Arsenal appears fortified, currently unbeaten in six games since their defeat at Anfield. Manager Mikel Arteta is emphasizing defensive stability, boasting 11 clean sheets in their last 14 European games, despite injuries affecting key player William Saliba.
In response to defensive absences, Arsenal has bolstered its lineup with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie. The team’s defensive structure limits opponents’ opportunities, evidenced by allowing only 0.5 expected goals against Olympiakos, showcasing a marked improvement from prior seasons.
Nuno Espirito Santo Takes Over at West Ham
Graham Potter’s departure from West Ham has led to Nuno Espirito Santo stepping in as the new manager. Potter was dismissed following a media round, with Santo already making an impact despite limited time with the team. In their recent 1-1 draw with Everton, West Ham demonstrated defensive improvements and a more vigorous approach.
The club’s defensive enhancements include limiting Everton to 0.73 expected goals and demonstrating a higher level of defensive intensity. Looking forward, West Ham aims to continue this progression as they face Arsenal next.
Spotlight Players and Key Matches This Weekend
- Sunderland’s Transfer Strategy: New signings including Granit Xhaka and Nordi Mukiele aim to impact their upcoming match against Manchester United.
- This weekend’s line-up includes Bournemouth vs Fulham on Friday Night Football and Chelsea vs Liverpool on Saturday Night Football. Sunday’s action-packed schedule features Aston Villa, Burnley, and more on Emegypt.
Stay tuned for ongoing Premier League insights, as we uncover the stories that are shaping the season. Keep an eye on Emegypt for detailed analyses and expert predictions.
