Arsenal have not conceded a single goal in the Premier League in the first 15 minutes of a game, nor in the final 15 at home, and have not conceded a first half goal on the road.

The common perception of Arsenal this season is that they are, once again, a second half team, but when you break down when they score and concede, this narrative doesn’t stack up at all.

Arsenal have scored 15 first half goals and 18 in the second half which so far backs up this theory.

But when you realise that in the first half they have only conceded four, but have shipped 10 in the second half, you see there is a bit of a problem.

Arsenal score more goals after the 76th minute than any other team in the division – 11 v 8 of the nearest competitors (Crystal Palace, Manchester City) and only City are outscoring them in the first 15 minutes (4 v 5).

If you wanted to tell the story of Arsenal’s league season in 15 minute intervals, it would look like this by goal difference:

  • 0-15 +4
  • 16-30 +3
  • 31-45 +4
  • 46-60 -1
  • 61-75 0
  • 76-90 +9

Arsenal goal difference

Clearly Arsenal’s biggest problem comes after the break, but why is that? Let us know what you think on Twitter or Facebook and let’s see if we can get to the bottom of this.