No team has scored more headers than Arsenal in the Premier League since the start of the 2015/16 season.
Per Mertesacker’s headed goal was Arsenal’s 35th since September 2015 – a tally that might seem surprisingly high to some people.
Since the start of the 2015/16 campaign, Arsenal have scored more headers than any other side – 35. #WATARS https://t.co/jcjvqOe7vr pic.twitter.com/nSp1vaDQ2X
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 14, 2017
Arsenal aren’t typically associated with headed goals, but the number isn’t as surprising as you might think.
Olivier Gioud would have been responsible for many of those goals. While Arsenal don’t use him as a conventional target man, he is one of the best headers of the ball in the league, and scores his fair share from set-pieces.
This, on top of the goals contributed by defenders, which are typically headers, ensures Arsenal will always have a decent tally.
It also helps that Arsenal have had Mesut Ozil on set-pieces for much of that period.
The German’s delivery is often on point and helped him contribute 19 assists during the 2015/16 season.
Of all the 12 Premier League goals Arsenal have scored this season, five have come from headers.
Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud scored headers in the 4-3 win over Leicester. Lacazette got another one with his head against West Brom, while Welbeck scored one against Bournemouth. Mertesacker’s goal against Watford on Saturday with the fifth.