MUFC vs Arsenal signings - a statistical comparison

MUFC signed 4 players in the transfer period this summer to strengthen their midfield, attack and also defence The players who were signed and their corresponding performances in the English Premier League have been listed below:

SUMMER SIGNINGS OF MUFC

NAME/MINUTES PLAYED/GOALS/ASSISTS/PPI/D.T.

1. Robin Van Persie – 489 Minutes – 5 – 2 – 135 – 12. Shinji Kagawa – 427 Minutes – 2 – 1 – 93 – 13. Alex Buttner – 90 Minutes – 1 – 1 – 46 – 14. Nick Powell – 20 Minutes – 1 – 0 – 21 – 0

TOTAL – 1026 Minutes – 9 – 4 – 295 – 3

SUMMER SIGNINGS OF ARSENAL

NAME/MINUTES PLAYED/GOALS/ASSISTS/PPI/D.T.

1. Santi Carzola – 620 Minutes – 2 – 3 – 120 -12. Lukas Podolski – 509 Minutes – 2 – 2 – 106 – 03. Olivier Giroud – 358 Minutes – 1 – 1 – 44 – 1

TOTAL – 1487 Minutes – 5 – 6 – 270 – 2

Now, if we compare the overall performance of the new signings in both the teams :

TEAM – GOALS/MATCH – ASSISTS/MATCH – PPI

Manchester United – 0.79 – 0.35 – 270Arsenal – 0.30 – 0.36 – 295

In the above table, the stark contrast in the goals per match between the new signings of MUFC and Arsenal can be seen. With a difference of 0.49 goals per match, Arsenal signings have clearly under-performed in front of goal which is further highlighted by the fact that, out of the 3 signings done by Arsenal, 2 are strikers. When it comes to assists per match, both teams stand on equal grounds. (However, it is to be kept in mind that it is Arsenal that is considered to be a passing team)

The PPI of the new signings of MUFC is way above that of Arsenal.

Even, when we consider the number of times the new signings have featured in the EPL Dream Team as selected by the FA, Arsenal new signings have featured only twice, whereas, United signings have featured thrice even after playing less.

Therefore, it doesn’t take any expertise to conclude that, MUFC signings have performed way better than the signings of Arsenal.

Note:

The EA SPORTS PPI is the only official player rating index of the Barclays Premier League which measures a player’s all round contribution to the success of his team using six key indices.

Legend : D.T. – Dream Team ; PPI – Player Performance Index

All the statistics are updated till 10/10/2012.