Billy Carpenter
@billycarpy.bsky.social
⚽️ writing and analysis, usually in the form of giant Arsenal long-reads. I also write for SCOUTED. Here's my newsletter:
https://billycarpenter.substack.com/
https://billycarpenter.substack.com/
Pinned
Connections
On building chemistry under pressure, Madueke’s fresh legs, Gyökeres and the Pinnock Test, Hincapié’s trial by fire, and the ripple effects of Saliba’s absence
billycarpenter.substack.com
My new Arsenal long-read is out. On Madueke, Gyökeres, Hincapié, and building chemistry under pressure.
Reposted by Billy Carpenter
As there has been a steady stream of new arrivals on Bluesky lately, here are a few starter packs I put together which might be of use.
go.bsky.app/LkYr5cE
go.bsky.app/LkYr5cE
January 5, 2026 at 11:41 AM
As there has been a steady stream of new arrivals on Bluesky lately, here are a few starter packs I put together which might be of use.
go.bsky.app/LkYr5cE
go.bsky.app/LkYr5cE
It feels like Arteta can overdo the "all 10 outfield players track back to the box" thing, which can invite its own problems (outlets too deep).
But as the late Chelsea goal progressed, you'll see the entire City front-three disappear from view. It's still a numbers game.
But as the late Chelsea goal progressed, you'll see the entire City front-three disappear from view. It's still a numbers game.
January 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
It feels like Arteta can overdo the "all 10 outfield players track back to the box" thing, which can invite its own problems (outlets too deep).
But as the late Chelsea goal progressed, you'll see the entire City front-three disappear from view. It's still a numbers game.
But as the late Chelsea goal progressed, you'll see the entire City front-three disappear from view. It's still a numbers game.
Tied for third, with 7: Raheem Sterling. Highest on a per-minute basis.
Still on 0: Pedro Neto.
Still on 0: Pedro Neto.
Cole Palmer, most joint goal participations at Chelsea
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
January 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Tied for third, with 7: Raheem Sterling. Highest on a per-minute basis.
Still on 0: Pedro Neto.
Still on 0: Pedro Neto.
Cole Palmer, most joint goal participations at Chelsea
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
January 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Cole Palmer, most joint goal participations at Chelsea
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
1. Nico Jackson (15)
2. Noni Madueke (8)
Gabriel with a 7.9/10
(open play division)
(open play division)
January 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Gabriel with a 7.9/10
(open play division)
(open play division)
If yer angry about the whistle at 96:16, you'll have to show me where the first six minutes came from.
January 3, 2026 at 7:27 PM
If yer angry about the whistle at 96:16, you'll have to show me where the first six minutes came from.
"I'll do it myself."
"...and just to be safe."
"...and just to be safe."
Can one of you please kick in a fucking second goal one of these days so Declan Rice doesn’t have to do (googles good marathoners) Alphonce Simbu shifts until 95’ every week, please?
January 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
"I'll do it myself."
"...and just to be safe."
"...and just to be safe."
Madueke is so intoxicating because of how little you have to squint to see him as one of the few best in the world. He's got the juice.
January 3, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Madueke is so intoxicating because of how little you have to squint to see him as one of the few best in the world. He's got the juice.
Rice at the top should be a 7x per year goal.
Free cheese.
Free cheese.
January 3, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Rice at the top should be a 7x per year goal.
Free cheese.
Free cheese.
Hincapié LB platforms the RB to have more fun, like a reverse Calafiori.
It doesn't match their vibes (Timber is so brainy and serious and coachlike), but in the final third, Calafiori is more controlled-chaos (never messy) and Timber is chaos-chaos. Good positions, but harried.
It doesn't match their vibes (Timber is so brainy and serious and coachlike), but in the final third, Calafiori is more controlled-chaos (never messy) and Timber is chaos-chaos. Good positions, but harried.
January 3, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Hincapié LB platforms the RB to have more fun, like a reverse Calafiori.
It doesn't match their vibes (Timber is so brainy and serious and coachlike), but in the final third, Calafiori is more controlled-chaos (never messy) and Timber is chaos-chaos. Good positions, but harried.
It doesn't match their vibes (Timber is so brainy and serious and coachlike), but in the final third, Calafiori is more controlled-chaos (never messy) and Timber is chaos-chaos. Good positions, but harried.
70% of that: people were kicking the ball poorly, and for no good reason.
Madueke should have way more than 3 attempted dribbles by now.
Hincapié/Martinelli/Gyökeres don't feel right dynamically, unless it's a 4-4-2 with Martinelli up top. Eze/Trossard better.
Madueke should have way more than 3 attempted dribbles by now.
Hincapié/Martinelli/Gyökeres don't feel right dynamically, unless it's a 4-4-2 with Martinelli up top. Eze/Trossard better.
January 3, 2026 at 6:21 PM
70% of that: people were kicking the ball poorly, and for no good reason.
Madueke should have way more than 3 attempted dribbles by now.
Hincapié/Martinelli/Gyökeres don't feel right dynamically, unless it's a 4-4-2 with Martinelli up top. Eze/Trossard better.
Madueke should have way more than 3 attempted dribbles by now.
Hincapié/Martinelli/Gyökeres don't feel right dynamically, unless it's a 4-4-2 with Martinelli up top. Eze/Trossard better.
That's a real opportunity when I caught up on Bournemouth by the way: waves of shots in pinned situations. More, please
January 3, 2026 at 5:54 PM
That's a real opportunity when I caught up on Bournemouth by the way: waves of shots in pinned situations. More, please
Remember Newcastle. Gabriel went down too easily for the Woltemade goal, scored the winner. He doesn't like leaving debts unpaid.
January 3, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Remember Newcastle. Gabriel went down too easily for the Woltemade goal, scored the winner. He doesn't like leaving debts unpaid.
January 2, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Reposted by Billy Carpenter
1/ I often get asked how to get started in set-piece analysis and what tips I'd give, especially with the lack of guides online. So I've spent the last two weeks trying to fix that exact problem with this piece below
medium.com/@setpiecesic...
medium.com/@setpiecesic...
How to Analyse Set-Pieces (like a Sicko)
A hopefully helpful intro guide into living through dead-balls
medium.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:58 PM
1/ I often get asked how to get started in set-piece analysis and what tips I'd give, especially with the lack of guides online. So I've spent the last two weeks trying to fix that exact problem with this piece below
medium.com/@setpiecesic...
medium.com/@setpiecesic...
Sunderland are overperforming and defying gravity, but also: their management of those tough situations (late moments, pressure, etc) doesn't exactly feel fluky when you watch. So much communication and focus and energy.
Thank you, Granit.
Thank you, Granit.
January 1, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Sunderland are overperforming and defying gravity, but also: their management of those tough situations (late moments, pressure, etc) doesn't exactly feel fluky when you watch. So much communication and focus and energy.
Thank you, Granit.
Thank you, Granit.
Not the biggest Maresca fan, but Chelsea’s biggest problem is that their recruitment keeps landing on really talented, spreadsheet-validated players with a bit of a bozo gene. You can manage that here or there, but when six players all have a lapse waiting to happen, it happens.
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Not the biggest Maresca fan, but Chelsea’s biggest problem is that their recruitment keeps landing on really talented, spreadsheet-validated players with a bit of a bozo gene. You can manage that here or there, but when six players all have a lapse waiting to happen, it happens.
I use “dynamics” a lot, and I’m not sure I can define it well. What I really mean is that things feel good on a foundational level: movements make sense, the dots connect, the flow flows, even if it hasn’t yet turned into output or complete performances.
December 31, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I use “dynamics” a lot, and I’m not sure I can define it well. What I really mean is that things feel good on a foundational level: movements make sense, the dots connect, the flow flows, even if it hasn’t yet turned into output or complete performances.
Arsenal’s two highest shot-creating action (SCA) totals this season:
• 41 v Brighton (Saturday)
• 42 v Villa (Tuesday)
• 41 v Brighton (Saturday)
• 42 v Villa (Tuesday)
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Arsenal’s two highest shot-creating action (SCA) totals this season:
• 41 v Brighton (Saturday)
• 42 v Villa (Tuesday)
• 41 v Brighton (Saturday)
• 42 v Villa (Tuesday)
Throughout that game, I couldn't shake the feeling that ... and please, just hear me out here ... Martin Ødegaard is really fucking good.
December 31, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Throughout that game, I couldn't shake the feeling that ... and please, just hear me out here ... Martin Ødegaard is really fucking good.
I'm good with starting Gyökeres and the La Real midfield. We'll have options in the second half.
December 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I'm good with starting Gyökeres and the La Real midfield. We'll have options in the second half.
Hugo Ekitike: 10 shots on target, 8 goals.
Nick Woltemade: 8 shots on target, 7 goals (incl. one pen).
Some nice finishes. But also, running quite hot.
Nick Woltemade: 8 shots on target, 7 goals (incl. one pen).
Some nice finishes. But also, running quite hot.
December 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Hugo Ekitike: 10 shots on target, 8 goals.
Nick Woltemade: 8 shots on target, 7 goals (incl. one pen).
Some nice finishes. But also, running quite hot.
Nick Woltemade: 8 shots on target, 7 goals (incl. one pen).
Some nice finishes. But also, running quite hot.
With Rice at RB, I was worried about him getting pulled out to the wing and not being able to patrol the middle on transitions.
So Rice said, “it’s fine. I’ll just do both.”
So Rice said, “it’s fine. I’ll just do both.”
December 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
With Rice at RB, I was worried about him getting pulled out to the wing and not being able to patrol the middle on transitions.
So Rice said, “it’s fine. I’ll just do both.”
So Rice said, “it’s fine. I’ll just do both.”
Havertz in the league as an Arsenal striker:
— 30.69 (nice) 90s
— 15 goals, 11 assists
— 0.85 goal contributions per 90, which would be top-5 in the league right now
Manage expectations, expect rust, etc. But still.
— 30.69 (nice) 90s
— 15 goals, 11 assists
— 0.85 goal contributions per 90, which would be top-5 in the league right now
Manage expectations, expect rust, etc. But still.
December 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Havertz in the league as an Arsenal striker:
— 30.69 (nice) 90s
— 15 goals, 11 assists
— 0.85 goal contributions per 90, which would be top-5 in the league right now
Manage expectations, expect rust, etc. But still.
— 30.69 (nice) 90s
— 15 goals, 11 assists
— 0.85 goal contributions per 90, which would be top-5 in the league right now
Manage expectations, expect rust, etc. But still.