It’s a different league.
What’s more helpful than the gross points accumulate is to look at the rolling points per game for the last 2 years. They’ve been generally going up, suppprted by all the important metrics - we are playing closer to goal, recover the ball quicker, get the ball into the final third more, attack the middle more, and generate more shots while managing a higher quality per shot.
Main things that helped this transition
defenders who are multifaceted attackers. Allow us to first beat the press, but more importantly to play a very high line. Compare our team now to the Kola/Bellerin etc era. The ball constantly goes back to our defenders but they send back through balls, and do a lot of long passes to the wings. This is why Luiz was always picked - he could hit these passes to both wings. However, he lacked the recovery speed that all our defenders except Holfinh now have. Notice how when he plays, team drops, passing distances extend, we recycle less. White and Zinchenko are critical here - these are rxceptional ball players who enable us to get extra men in midfield, expanding distribution options.
keeper who can distribute short and long. Other than Ederson, hits the longest passes. Makes it hard for opponent trying to press
attacking the center - both the above plus ball progression and progressive passing of our midfield 3. Speed of thought and invention key here. Partey can always hit Jesus or Odegaard vertically. Also heat at the diagonal
multifaceted attackers - unlike Auba/Laca/Pépé - these guys run hard and initiate the press with Odegaard. Helps keep ball in opposition half. And then all three are top of the league in progressing the ball. They can pass or run past their man. Helps get us into the box more often.
This last point is why I emphasize the importance of getting another Saka/Martinelli. Our ability to keep beating defenders and forcing rotations in opposing defenses is critical. It’s why we ‘wasted’ time on Raphinha.
