Could Arsenal's Limited Open-Play Creativity Prove Costly in the Title Race?

Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports column where Adam Bate combines data and opinion to reflect on key Premier League stories. This week, we examine Arsenal's concerning performance against Bournemouth, which has put the title back in the balance. The Gunners' inability to create from open play, with an expected goals total of just 0.18, was alarming and highlights their over-reliance on set-pieces. While Mikel Arteta's team has excelled at set-plays, their focus on this tactic can hinder their momentum. The match saw Arsenal spend 26 minutes and 48 seconds with the ball dead, including seven minutes waiting for throw-ins. This approach has been successful for much of the season, but it made for a disjointed game, and Arsenal often struggle to create from open play. In fact, they have had more matches with an open-play expected goals total of 0.3 or lower than Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea combined. This could explain why they are struggling with fluency, and their reliance on set-pieces might not be enough to secure the title. Meanwhile, West Ham's 4-0 win over Wolves has moved them out of the relegation zone, thanks in part to Jarrod Bowen's two assists. Bowen has been consistent in his output, with eight assists and eight goals in the Premier League this season. His reliability and robustness make him a talisman for the team, and he could join an exclusive club if he can maintain his form. Additionally, Sunderland's Brian Brobbey has impressed with his ability to hold the ball up, leading the line effectively and providing a threat to opponents. His success rate at retaining possession after receiving the ball is higher than anyone else near the top of the list, making him a valuable asset to the team.