Stats: Most fouled teams in the Premier League so far this season

Chelsea are the most fouled team in the EPL with Arsenal second

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was never an advocate of the physical aspect of English football until recent years. The Frenchman’s frequent vocal outbursts on the ‘intimidating’ and ‘aggressive’ tactics deployed by teams like Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers over the years are well recorded.

But in an interview in 2013, Wenger in an attempt to deterge himself from the ‘crusader against physicality’ nickname, boldly proclaimed that it is one of English football’s strengths and as long as the intention is fair from the player who goes into the challenge, it is fine with him.

Well, this interesting revelation might just force him to further ruminate on his musings on the subject.

Arsenal, with 74 fouls against them, are the second most fouled team in the Premier League so far this season with star player Alexis Sanchez drawing the most tackles (18). The Chilean’s sharp movements, twists and turns have frustrated many defenders resulting in an unfortunate clattering of shins.

But who are at the top? This might actually surprise you. Chelsea, with 79 fouls against them, are the most fouled team in the Premier League this season. Eden Hazard who was the most fouled player in the league last season with 113 fouls against him has endured 16 so far this season.

The general consensus regarding Chelsea this season is they are the reincarnation of Don Revie’s Leeds United who are prepared to foul and cheat their way to victory. The Daily Mirror even described striker Diego Costa, who has been in some serious controversies in the past few days, as a ‘One Man Dirty Leeds tribute band’.

Our preconceived notion of Chelsea being the villains is way off the mark when, in fact, they have somewhat been the victims so far this season. Well, the numbers speak for themselves.

League leaders Manchester City with 62 fouls against them sit 12th on the table. Liverpool and Manchester United with 59 fouls a piece, are 15th and 16th respectively. West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble leads the way for the most fouled player in the league enduring 19 fouls in six games, averaging 3.2 fouls per game.

Noble narrowly beats new Swansea hero Andre Ayew who has 18 fouls against him, averaging three per game. Aston Villa’s Idrissa Gueye has also been fouled 18 times.

RANK	TEAM	FOULS SUFFERED
1	Chelsea	79
2	Arsenal	74
3	Everton	74
4	Bournemouth	73
5	Swansea City	73
6	Stoke City	72
7	Crystal Palace	71
8	West Ham	71
9	Leicester City	69
10	Aston Villa	67
11	Newcastle	64
12	Manchester City	62
13	Tottenham Hotspur	61
14	Sunderland	60
15	Liverpool	59
16	Manchester United	59
17	Southampton	58
18	Watford	57
19	West Bromwich Albion	50
20	Norwich	49