{"id":58353,"date":"2026-04-13T02:53:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/arsenal-lack-creativity-from-open-play-compared-to-previous-premier-league-title-winners-but-is-it-going-to-cost-them-football-news\/13\/04\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T02:53:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:53:56","slug":"arsenal-lack-creativity-from-open-play-compared-to-previous-premier-league-title-winners-but-is-it-going-to-cost-them-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/arsenal-lack-creativity-from-open-play-compared-to-previous-premier-league-title-winners-but-is-it-going-to-cost-them-football-news\/13\/04\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal lack creativity from open play compared to previous Premier League title winners but is it going to cost them? | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"ui-article-body\" data-testid=\"article-body\" data-highlight-intro=\"true\">\n<p><em>Welcome to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/adam-bate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Debrief<\/a><\/strong>, a Sky Sports column in which <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/adam-bate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Adam Bate<\/a><\/strong> uses a blend of data and opinion to reflect on some of the key stories from the latest Premier League matches. This week:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Arsenal&#8217;s open-play expected goals<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Bowen now in impressive company<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Brobbey&#8217;s hold-up play stands out<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Arsenal&#8217;s lack of creativity from open play<\/h3>\n<p>Arsenal endured a miserable weekend in the Premier League; that much is obvious. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/arsenal-vs-bournemouth\/531439\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">home defeat to Bournemouth<\/a> coupled with Manchester City&#8217;s win at Chelsea means that the title is back in the balance. But the Arsenal performance was even more alarming.<\/p>\n<p>While Andoni Iraola&#8217;s Bournemouth played some good football, Mikel Arteta&#8217;s team sent in some set-pieces. And, well, that was about it. An expected goals total from open play of just 0.18 reflects just how little the Gunners created. It was a struggle to watch.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"82338151-a89d-4eb6-a507-d976ee4c5180\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.condatis.sky\/auth\/video\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal\u2019s match against Bournemouth\" data-clip-type=\"Highlight\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_82338151-a89d-4eb6-a507-d976ee4c5180\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"50\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-plclips-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"FkTAlw1HuO\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7216994\" data-sdc-video-id=\"82338151-a89d-4eb6-a507-d976ee4c5180\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"football\/premier-league-clips\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:82338151-a89d-4eb6-a507-d976ee4c5180\" data-video-type=\"Highlight\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"false\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><\/p>\n<p>          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_82338151-a89d-4eb6-a507-d976ee4c5180\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal\u2019s match against Bournemouth<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Of course, the focus on set-plays has been a theme of the campaign. Arteta&#8217;s team have been masters at it, creating and scoring more than anyone else from such situations. But this was an example of how overemphasising that can damage their own momentum.<\/p>\n<p>There is an opportunity cost to sending the defenders up each time that a foul is won in the middle of the field. Declan Rice&#8217;s delivery has been so good that the tactic has made sense for much of the season. It just did not feel that way on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>In total, 26 minutes and 48 seconds of the match was spent with Arsenal technically in possession but the ball being dead. Six minutes preparing for corners might be understandable given their success at it, but seven minutes waiting for throw-ins?<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps Arsenal know their strengths. It is a formula that has taken them to the top of the Premier League table, after all. But it made for a bitty game and there have been too many of those now. This was no outlier. Arsenal often fail to create from open play.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>, which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the <a href=\"#privacy-options\">Privacy Options<\/a>.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-permanently\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow\">Enable Cookies<\/a><br \/>\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-once\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow-once\">Allow Cookies Once<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Of the top-six teams in the Premier League table, they have had more matches this season with an open-play expected goals total of 0.3 or lower than Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea combined. It has happened six times.<\/p>\n<p>That is very unusual for the Premier League leaders. Indeed, in the previous eight seasons, the eventual winners of the competition have ranked among the top two overall for open-play creativity. Arsenal rank sixth on the metric. They are currently below Brighton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>, which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the <a href=\"#privacy-options\">Privacy Options<\/a>.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-permanently\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow\">Enable Cookies<\/a><br \/>\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-once\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow-once\">Allow Cookies Once<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Does it matter? Not at all if they can beat City next time out. If the goal comes from a set piece, they will be all the more vindicated. But it might help to explain why fluency is proving a problem. City look capable of going on a run. Arsenal are relying on moments.<\/p>\n<h3>Bowen&#8217;s goal involvements for West Ham<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" style=\"display:block\" class=\"lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=75&resize=75 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=100&resize=100 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=150&resize=150 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=240&resize=240 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=320&resize=320 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=500&resize=500 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=640&resize=640 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=800&resize=800 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=1280&resize=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?w=1600&resize=1600 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/384x216\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?20260412224358 380w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/1600x900\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?20260412224358 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/2048x1152\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?20260412224358 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Jarrod Bowen celebrates West Ham's third goal in their win over Wolves\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Jarrod Bowen celebrates West Ham&#8217;s third goal in their win over Wolves<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jarrod Bowen will have felt West Ham&#8217;s FA Cup exit to Leeds more than most, having hit the frame of the goal twice in the quarter-final and then seeing his spot-kick saved in the penalty shoot-out. But he played his part in a big win in the Premier League on Friday.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/west-ham-united-vs-wolverhampton-wanderers\/531448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">West Ham&#8217;s 4-0 win over Wolves<\/a> moved them out of the relegation zone. Bowen hit the post again but this time it was less damaging thanks, in part, to his two assists for the team. He has eight for the season in the Premier League now to go with his eight goals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>, which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the <a href=\"#privacy-options\">Privacy Options<\/a>.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-permanently\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow\">Enable Cookies<\/a><br \/>\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-once\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow-once\">Allow Cookies Once<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bowen has not always scaled his usual heights in what has been a difficult campaign for the Irons but the output remains. Since signing for West Ham in January of 2020, he ranks among the top half a dozen players in the Premier League for goal involvements.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, his consistency is underlined by the fact that there are only two other players to have registered more than 10 goal involvements in each of the past six seasons. The others are Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"e5e47bde-3b20-49e1-956a-0ff737ca6433\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.condatis.sky\/auth\/video\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Highlights from the match between West Ham and Wolves in the Premier League\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" 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class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display:block\" class=\"lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=75&resize=75 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=100&resize=100 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=150&resize=150 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=240&resize=240 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=320&resize=320 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=500&resize=500 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=640&resize=640 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=800&resize=800 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=1280&resize=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?w=1600&resize=1600 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg\" alt=\"West Ham vs Wolves highlights\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/1600x900\/skysports-west-ham-wolves-highlights_7216526.jpg?20260410221730\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_e5e47bde-3b20-49e1-956a-0ff737ca6433\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Highlights from the match between West Ham and Wolves in the Premier League<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If Bowen can finish this season strongly and find another four goal involvements in the remaining six games of the Premier League season then he would not only go a long way towards keeping his team in the competition but join an even more exclusive club.<\/p>\n<p>Erling Haaland is the only man to hit 20 goal involvements in each of the last three Premier League seasons. It is Bowen who looks best placed to match the feat. What a testament to his reliability, his robustness and his role as a talisman for this West Ham team.<\/p>\n<h3>Brobbey&#8217;s hold-up play for Sunderland<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" style=\"display:block\" class=\"lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=75&resize=75 75w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=100&resize=100 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=150&resize=150 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=240&resize=240 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=320&resize=320 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=500&resize=500 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=640&resize=640 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=800&resize=800 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=1280&resize=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?w=1600&resize=1600 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/384x216\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?20260412224459 380w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/1600x900\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?20260412224459 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/2048x1152\/skysports-brian-brobbey-sunderland_7218447.jpg?20260412224459 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Brian Brobbey holds off Cristian Romero in Sunderland's win over Tottenham\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Brian Brobbey holds off Cristian Romero in Sunderland&#8217;s win over Tottenham<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>West Ham&#8217;s chances of staying up were further boosted when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/sunderland-vs-tottenham-hotspur\/531447\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Tottenham slipped to a 1-0 defeat Sunderland<\/a> on Sunday afternoon in Roberto De Zerbi&#8217;s first game in charge. Brian Bobbey did not score for the Black Cats but he led the line impressively.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is none better in the Premier League at holding the ball up,&#8221; said former Sunderland striker Don Goodman on co-commentary for <em>Sky Sports<\/em>. The claim certainly passes the eye test but it is worth examining the statistics &#8211; and they appear to back it up, too.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>, which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the <a href=\"#privacy-options\">Privacy Options<\/a>.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><br \/>\n                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-permanently\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow\">Enable Cookies<\/a><br \/>\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link ui-consent-roadblock-once\" data-single-click-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-allow-once\">Allow Cookies Once<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Dutchman has held the ball up 48 times this season. Only Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has done so more often in the Premier League this season. But Brobbey&#8217;s success rate at retaining possession after receiving the ball in those situations is higher.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, it is slightly better than anyone else near the top of that list. &#8220;He started the season with us at probably not the best fitness level, so he needed a bit of time to be ready to be competitive physically,&#8221; Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris explained recently.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"f0f5f493-e976-4ed2-98e5-15ff2e4d2a5f\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.condatis.sky\/auth\/video\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Sunderland\u2019s match against Tottenham Hotspur\" data-clip-type=\"Highlight\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_f0f5f493-e976-4ed2-98e5-15ff2e4d2a5f\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"50\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-plclips-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"FkTAlw1HuO\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7218098\" data-sdc-video-id=\"f0f5f493-e976-4ed2-98e5-15ff2e4d2a5f\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"football\/premier-league-clips\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:f0f5f493-e976-4ed2-98e5-15ff2e4d2a5f\" data-video-type=\"Highlight\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"false\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display:block\" class=\"lazyload\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=75&resize=75 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=100&resize=100 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=150&resize=150 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=240&resize=240 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=320&resize=320 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=500&resize=500 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=640&resize=640 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=800&resize=800 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=1280&resize=1280 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?w=1600&resize=1600 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg\" alt=\"Sunderland vs Spurs highlights\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/1600x900\/skysports-football-premier-league_7218114.jpg?20260412162649\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_f0f5f493-e976-4ed2-98e5-15ff2e4d2a5f\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Sunderland\u2019s match against Tottenham Hotspur<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Brobbey is competing now. &#8220;We want to play with him,&#8221; said Le Bris. &#8220;Now we can kill the press.&#8221; That longer ball up to the striker is sticking more often and if opponents commit men forward, allowing him to isolate the defender, then it is a problem for teams.<\/p>\n<p>His total of six Premier League goals might seem modest but, curiously, all six have been the final goal of the game. They have directly won Sunderland eight points, including the winner at Newcastle. Now, Brobbey is bringing more to the team as well.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/12040\/13524729\/arsenal-lack-creativity-from-open-play-compared-to-previous-premier-league-title-winners-but-is-it-going-to-cost-them\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports column in which Adam Bate uses a blend of data and opinion to reflect on<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/arsenal-lack-creativity-from-open-play-compared-to-previous-premier-league-title-winners-but-is-it-going-to-cost-them-football-news\/13\/04\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":58354,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[147,4517,2590,7833,313,2655,247,33,725,175,1515,1534,113,215],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/04\/768x432\/skysports-jarrod-bowen-west-ham_7218446.jpg?20260412224358","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58353"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58353"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58355,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58353\/revisions\/58355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}