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/
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Billy Carpenter
@billycarpy.bsky.social
· May 20
Scouting Martín Zubimendi
A massive profile on Arsenal's likely midfield signing: his fit, function, defensive game, physical profile, press resistance, passing range, untapped skills, and potential to transform Arsenal
billycarpenter.substack.com
Here's my 8,000+ word profile on Arsenal's likely midfield signing: his fit, function, defensive game, physical profile, press resistance, passing range, untapped skills, and potential to transform Arsenal. Reads and shares are appreciated. ❤️
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.
Havertz will inevitably miss some chance
and people will inevitably say “so this is what you wanted?”
and my response will be
“yes.”
and people will inevitably say “so this is what you wanted?”
and my response will be
“yes.”
December 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Havertz will inevitably miss some chance
and people will inevitably say “so this is what you wanted?”
and my response will be
“yes.”
and people will inevitably say “so this is what you wanted?”
and my response will be
“yes.”
Most through-balls per 90, Premier League
1. Martin Ødegaard (1.43)
2. Rayan Cherki (1.41)
3. Mikel Merino (1.16)
(data: fbref)
1. Martin Ødegaard (1.43)
2. Rayan Cherki (1.41)
3. Mikel Merino (1.16)
(data: fbref)
December 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Most through-balls per 90, Premier League
1. Martin Ødegaard (1.43)
2. Rayan Cherki (1.41)
3. Mikel Merino (1.16)
(data: fbref)
1. Martin Ødegaard (1.43)
2. Rayan Cherki (1.41)
3. Mikel Merino (1.16)
(data: fbref)
Bournemouth have played 9 matches at home and 9 matches away.
There have been 17 total goals at home.
There have been 43 total goals away.
There have been 17 total goals at home.
There have been 43 total goals away.
December 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Bournemouth have played 9 matches at home and 9 matches away.
There have been 17 total goals at home.
There have been 43 total goals away.
There have been 17 total goals at home.
There have been 43 total goals away.
It's still a jumpscare every time I put on a Serie A game and see Jamie Vardy.
December 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
It's still a jumpscare every time I put on a Serie A game and see Jamie Vardy.
No player in the Premier League has won more than one (1) penalty.
Except Dango Ouattara. He's won 4.
Except Dango Ouattara. He's won 4.
December 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
No player in the Premier League has won more than one (1) penalty.
Except Dango Ouattara. He's won 4.
Except Dango Ouattara. He's won 4.
I said in the report that Havertz is a better player than Gyökeres, but wouldn’t put up the same goal numbers in Portugal. Not every top player would just smash the scoring books if dropped a level. Watching Martinelli against Canvot reinforced: he’s one of them.
December 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I said in the report that Havertz is a better player than Gyökeres, but wouldn’t put up the same goal numbers in Portugal. Not every top player would just smash the scoring books if dropped a level. Watching Martinelli against Canvot reinforced: he’s one of them.
Please don’t show my peoples that DCL box movement. 🫠
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Please don’t show my peoples that DCL box movement. 🫠
My take on that Leeds build-up attack is: the Premier League is frighteningly good.
December 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
My take on that Leeds build-up attack is: the Premier League is frighteningly good.
It’s semantics, but I consider the Ø-zone to be those one-touch late arrivals at the penalty spot.
That goal wasn’t really from the Ø-zone. It was more from the Nwanarea.
That goal wasn’t really from the Ø-zone. It was more from the Nwanarea.
December 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It’s semantics, but I consider the Ø-zone to be those one-touch late arrivals at the penalty spot.
That goal wasn’t really from the Ø-zone. It was more from the Nwanarea.
That goal wasn’t really from the Ø-zone. It was more from the Nwanarea.
Other than Declan Rice being the best at everything I fail to see how he’s worth the fee.
December 27, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Other than Declan Rice being the best at everything I fail to see how he’s worth the fee.
Well, the running around Saka hasn’t been an issue.
Questions:
— wide transitional play (oop)
— Injury risk of Zubi doing those full-pitch sprints
— running around Saka generally. Things were way too static with the last guy who did a RB role like this. Expect that to improve, but how much?
— wide transitional play (oop)
— Injury risk of Zubi doing those full-pitch sprints
— running around Saka generally. Things were way too static with the last guy who did a RB role like this. Expect that to improve, but how much?
December 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Well, the running around Saka hasn’t been an issue.
I can’t say it’s what we’re doing, but I’d personally lean Rice in the middle at #6, and Saliba sweeping and dominating as normal: we need reference points. Zubimendi can float and do high combination play on the right side from so-called RB, which I’ve floated before.
December 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I can’t say it’s what we’re doing, but I’d personally lean Rice in the middle at #6, and Saliba sweeping and dominating as normal: we need reference points. Zubimendi can float and do high combination play on the right side from so-called RB, which I’ve floated before.
These Joelinton/Cunha duels are hilarious. Just a scrappy shithousing Spider-Man pointing meme.
December 26, 2025 at 9:39 PM
These Joelinton/Cunha duels are hilarious. Just a scrappy shithousing Spider-Man pointing meme.