AN ACADEMIC RESEARCH group based at the International Centre for Sports Studies has named three Arsenal players as the best in their respective positions so far this season in the Premier League.
The study measures performances based on the following six key performance indicators sourced from the OptaPro database:
Rigour (strength in defensive duels)
Recovery (Interception work)
Distribution
Take-ons
Chance creation
Shooting
30-year-old Frenchman Laurent Koscielny has been revealed as the league’s best centre-back since August, with Southampton’s Cédric Soares the top full-back since he made his debut for the Saints in a 2-2 away draw against Newcastle in the opening game.
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil were named the best defensive and attacking midfielders respectively, while, unsurprisingly, Algerian Riyad Mahrez is statistically the best forward so far, having netted 5 goals in his opening 7 games.
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The study only takes into account players who have played in 60% of their team’s minutes and only judges players on relevant skills (for example, Koscielny is not being judged for shooting, nor Mahrez for recovery).
The best U21 players were also judged, with the following players deemed the ones at the top of the pile in their respective positions:
Here are the best Premier League players of the season so far -- according to the stats
AN ACADEMIC RESEARCH group based at the International Centre for Sports Studies has named three Arsenal players as the best in their respective positions so far this season in the Premier League.
The study measures performances based on the following six key performance indicators sourced from the OptaPro database:
30-year-old Frenchman Laurent Koscielny has been revealed as the league’s best centre-back since August, with Southampton’s Cédric Soares the top full-back since he made his debut for the Saints in a 2-2 away draw against Newcastle in the opening game.
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil were named the best defensive and attacking midfielders respectively, while, unsurprisingly, Algerian Riyad Mahrez is statistically the best forward so far, having netted 5 goals in his opening 7 games.
The study only takes into account players who have played in 60% of their team’s minutes and only judges players on relevant skills (for example, Koscielny is not being judged for shooting, nor Mahrez for recovery).
The best U21 players were also judged, with the following players deemed the ones at the top of the pile in their respective positions:
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