Lacazette v Firmino: Who did it better?

Alexandre the Great. Brilliant Bobby.  Who did it better this season?!?!  Let’s get into it….

OVERVIEW

	Lacazette	Firmino
Appearances	35	34
Minutes Played	2,505	2,617
Matches Started	27	30
Subbed on	8	3
Subbed off	9	16
Distance Run (km)	277.74	334.13
Distance Run per Match	7.94	9.83
Yellow Cards	2	0
Red Cards	0	0
SCORE	3	6

 

Both played a similar amount of games (35 v 34) and minutes (2,505 v 2,617) so the comparative analysis here of overall stats will be quite interesting.  Firmino started 3 more game than Lacazette, but was subbed on less (3) and off more (16) times. Lacazette ran over 60km less than Firmino, despite being involved in more games.  Firmino had a better distance covered per game average as a result (9.83km).

 

ATTACKING

	Lacazette	Firmino
Goals	13	12
Goals per Match	0.37	0.35
Minutes per Goal	193	219
Shots	81	75
Shots on Target	30	34
Shots off Target	32	22
Shooting Accuracy %	48.39	60.71
Goals (inside box)	10	11
Goals (outside box)	3	0
Offsides	24	7
Hit woodwork	1	1
Big chances scored	5	9
Big chances missed	13	9
SCORE	5	7

 

Both players were very level in an attacking sense.  Lacazette scored one more goal than Bobby (13 to 12) and pipped him in the goals per game and minutes per goal department, despite it being very close.  Firmino had a far better shooting accuracy %, with 60.71% of his shots being on target to Lacazette’s 48.39%. Lacazette posed more of a goal scoring threat in (10) and outside (3) the box, with Firmino scoring 11 of his goals in the box and one penalty.  Lacazette was caught offside more than 3 times Firmino was and Firmino scored more and missed less big chances, despite them both clocking 18 big chances scored and missed in total.

 

TEAMPLAY

	Lacazette	Firmino
Assists	8	6
Big chances created	6	8
Passes	771	1,279
Pass Completion %	74.19	80.77
Passes forward	183	319
Passes Backward	186	287
Touches	1,313	1,762
Through balls	10	16
Crosses	29	9
Dispossessed	61	62
SCORE	3	6

 

The teamplay statistics highlight how each player operated slightly differently for their teams, despite both being forward players in squads where both managers prioritised the high press. Lacazette recorded 2 more assists but two less big chances created. Firmino had over 500 more passes and a 6% better pass completion rate (74.19% to 80.77%). This would easily explain who Firmino had more touches than Lacazette but interestingly the Arsenal forward completed 3 times more crosses (29 to 9). He was also dispossessed marginally less than Firmino (61 to 62).  Lacazette drifted out of position in games often and was more willing to put the ball in the box from a wide position. Bobby seemed to be more involved in the build up play of his team and played more of a vocal point in the centre forward position.

 

DEFENDING

	Lacazette	Firmino
Clean Sheets	4	6
Goals conceded	31	15
Blocks	1	1
Interceptions	15	6
Tackles	35	29
Tackles Won	16	19
Clearances	29	15
Headed Clearances	22	13
Aerial Battles Won	47	30
Own Goals	0	0
Errors leading to Goal	0	0
Penalties Conceded	0	0
SCORE	5	3

 

Liverpool had a better defensive record than Arsenal and pretty much everyone in the league, so I won’t read too much into the clean sheets and goals conceded stats (where Firmino clearly trumped Lacazette).  Laczette intercepted play more and attempted 6 more tackles than Firmino, but won 3 less making the Liverpool man the slightly more proficient tackler. However, Firmino played a smaller role for his team defensively, as Lacazette achieved just under double the amount of clearances, 9 more headed clearances and 17 more aerial battles won.  This could have been due to the way in which Liverpool set up their team especially when defending set pieces. Nonetheless, the stats support the claim that Lacazette gets stuck in when he has to.

 

Conclusion: Who did it better?

This one is very tight.  Both played a similar amount of minutes with Lacazette being subbed on more and off less.  Firmino covered more ground than Lacazette, had more shots on target, less off target and a better shot accuracy percentage.  He also completed more through balls and completed far more passes. However, the Arsenal man had a better goals/game ratio, completed more crosses, was dispossessed less and contributed more defensively with more interceptions, clearances and aerial battles won.  Either man could have nicked it, but If I had to choose, Lacazette marginally did it better than Firmino this season.

(Stats courtesy of http://www.premierleague.com)