Technical Area

The Technical Area – Wilshere Gets Creative

While there’s little doubt that Theo Walcott is the Arsenal Fantasy midfielder of choice these days, Jack Wilshere’s Fantasy potential has also taken a turn for the better in recent weeks. Analysing the statistics over the last four Gameweeks, it’s perhaps something of a surprise to see the Gunners midfielder as the most creative midfielder on show – Wilshere sits top of our ICT Creativity rankings and has provided more goalscoring opportunities than any other player in the Premier League across that quartet of fixtures:

Wilshere Average Positions Comparison

Wilshere Early
Wilshere Recent

The maps clearly highlight a change in position by Wilshere. He previously operated in more withdrawn areas (above left) upon his comeback from injury in Gameweek 9 but is now finding himself closer to goal when on the ball (above right) and has even replaced Santi Cazorla in “the hole” over the past few games.

MinsTchs Final 3rdPass Rcvd Final 3rdSucc Pass Final 3rdChances CreatedMins/Chance CreatedTchs Pen BoxShots
Wilshere Previous Average86.323.91314.21.652.71.80.4
Wilshere Last Four87.84121.2223.624.42.00.6

Looking at the stats, the difference is obvious. Although Wilshere’s game time is more or less identical, he has made 41 touches per game over the last four in comparison to 23.9 beforehand. The youngster has also seen a significant rise in both passes received in the final third (21.2 to 13) and successful passes made in the final third (22 to 14.2), highlighting his ability to influence matches from further up the pitch.

Although Wilshere’s stats in terms of touches in the box and shots per game have almost stayed the same, his creativity has leapt considerably – a previous average of 1.6 chances created per match has risen to 3.6, which equates to one key pass every 24.4 minutes in comparison to a previous average of 52.7 minutes.

Top 5 Midfielders Mins/Chance Created Gameweek 23-26

MinsMin/ Chances CreatedChances CreatedThrough BallsAssistsShots
Jack Wilshere43924.4181023
Adel Taarabt36724.5154115
Juan Mata28628.610115
David Silva33030.011209
Stewart Downing36230.2120110

Analysing the top five midfielders in terms of minutes per chance created over the last four Gameweeks, Wilshere’s eye for a killer pass is obvious. He has created chances at a pace quicker (24.4 minutes) to that of playmakers such as Adel Taarabt (24.5), Juan Mata (28.6) and David Silva (30.0), while he has supplied 10 through balls for the likes of Walcott and Olivier Giroud, though has returned just a couple of assists over the period.

It’s when it comes to goal threat, though, that he’s let down in comparison to others. Taarabt, for example, has had five times as many shots (15 to three), while Silva has managed nine attempts despite playing over 100 minutes less. Indeed, for Arsenal, Walcott has had 22 attempts on goal over the same period, while Cazorla has produced 18 shots in addition to creating 11 chances – while Wilshere’s move further forward has afforded the Gunners’ plenty creativity, his lack of goal threat continues to keep him off Fantasy radars, then.

Expected to recover from a leg knock in time for next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern, if Wilshere can develop a killer touch in front of goal, his mid-price appeal could yet see him find a way into our sides as a differential contender over the last few months of the season. While next season, should his role remain an attacking one, he could be one to break out of the mid-price and announce himself as a true Fantasy asset.

*The Technical Area is put together using the statistics and maps available in our members area. For access to such data and tools on every player, team and match of the 2012/13 season, and for exclusive members articles like this, click here for details.

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1,297 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    I'm off for tonight. Goodnight. 🙂

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Night, take care

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    2. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Night AK, sleep well.

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  2. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone remember the official countdown to the game starting in the Euros?

    Euuuuuurrrgghhhhhh.

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      they do that at Murrayfield. Gets on my tits

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        We might as well go the whole hog and have cheerleaders, confetti spilling onto the pitch as the teams come out, a halftime show with Beyonce and people wandering around the stands selling pretzels...

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          😆

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        2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          Wales are halfway there with them letting Catherine Jenkins destroy what is otherwise the greatest anthem in the world!

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 1 month ago

            Euuuuurghh, I hope she didn't add her improvised embellishments to it!

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        3. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          That should be done for FPL opening day.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 1 month ago

            "FPL is OPEN, B*TCHES!!!"

            *Strippers dance onto your screen*

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  3. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    does anyone know how much moura is on ucl fantasy?
    maybe for next game...

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    1. Fantasy Football Friend!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      8.0

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

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      2. Anorak
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        Classed as a forward though (and just subbed off on 53' as Ancelotti shores it up a touch).

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        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          aah okay, not interested then.
          Planning Yilmaz => Lewandowski for next game.
          Or maybe Ibra in, we'll see.

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  4. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    OK time to watch this Celtic game at the pub, hopefully there'll be some Bhoys fans there shouting themselves hoarse. Night all!

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Night Isacki. Enjoy... no pissed posting later 😉

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 1 month ago

        6am hungover in Burger King, see you there 😉

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        1. 4vets
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 1 month ago

          Can't do. 6.00am is kebab time for me 😉

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  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Damn you Pastore!!

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  6. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    why I did take that lictsteiner instead of bonucci, well because didn't remember those damn rb's that bonucci always gets!

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  7. Fantasy Football Friend!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Does Rod Stewart go to Callie thistle games aswell or just Barca and Juve? 😀

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  8. 4vets
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Son's off to bed, I'm to watch the last 25 🙂

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  9. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    I need practice on my pancake tekkers.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Mine were a fail

      Too eggy

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  10. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Watt happened?

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  11. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Marchisio scores

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    1. Portuguese&Proud
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      Matri assist

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  12. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Juve doing a "Chelsea"

    Funny how the commentators aren't so gushing about that style now!!!

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  13. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Boom!!!!!!!!!!

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  14. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    there goes sirigus cs 🙁

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  15. Mr Sarcastic
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    zlatan red...

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  16. Sebastian Rooks
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    hey guys who do you think is the best replacement for sturridge this week.

    Ba
    Cisse
    Aguero
    Dzeko
    Giroud (I have walcott)
    Benteke

    Front 8

    Taraabt Walcott Bale Mata Michu
    Rooney Lambert STURRIDGE

    Thanks

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    1. Pau
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 1 month ago

      keep

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  17. tobesthetoffee
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts for 2 weeks time? – I’ve made 2 transfers for this
    Federici (vorm)
    Baines… Jagielka …..Harte (Zabaleta and Davies)
    Walcott…. Puncheon…. Sissoko ….and Akpan
    Rooney ….RVP …..Rodriguez
    Is Rooney likely to be rested and if so is he worth keeping long term. If not who should I get instead?
    Zabaleta benched? Little but nervous bout that but can feel a city re shuffle at the back…
    Thanks

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