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
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. ❤️
Valiant attempt at red
November 26, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Valiant attempt at red
Just wait until we get our striker or our other striker or our other striker.
November 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Just wait until we get our striker or our other striker or our other striker.
Late legs = the difference between this and Sunderland
3. In general, test recovery pace (and agility) in wide areas. This will compound over the game: because of their injuries/suspensions, our late legs are better than theirs’ (Martinelli, Madueke, etc).
November 26, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Late legs = the difference between this and Sunderland
Smart of Bayern to test coordination between the new duo on the left, unfortunately.
November 26, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Smart of Bayern to test coordination between the new duo on the left, unfortunately.
Did a very quick look at Bayern last night. Here's a loose (fairly low-confidence) thread on five potential advantages I saw. 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Did a very quick look at Bayern last night. Here's a loose (fairly low-confidence) thread on five potential advantages I saw. 🧵
He's less a player, more a Borges story. Every movement is stitched together like syntax: this move the noun, this the verb, this the exclamation point. Feints and hermeneutics, mystery and mirrors: how do you coach a conjurer?
(I’ve never seen him play football.)
(I’ve never seen him play football.)
Arsenal are closely monitoring Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza and are weighing up a potential move for the 20-year-old. #AFC face intense competition from other European giants if they decide to formalise their interest.
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
www.telegraph.co.uk/football/202...
Arsenal tracking Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza
Spanish midfielder, who has a £17.5m release clause, is viewed as someone who can be developed for the future
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
He's less a player, more a Borges story. Every movement is stitched together like syntax: this move the noun, this the verb, this the exclamation point. Feints and hermeneutics, mystery and mirrors: how do you coach a conjurer?
(I’ve never seen him play football.)
(I’ve never seen him play football.)
Madueke was going all the fuck out, by the way.
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Madueke was going all the fuck out, by the way.
To top it off, closing out an NLD with Saka, Noni, Eze, Nwaneri, and MLS all playing at the same time. Can't beat it.
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 AM
To top it off, closing out an NLD with Saka, Noni, Eze, Nwaneri, and MLS all playing at the same time. Can't beat it.
Was thinking about this intro quote again.
November 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Was thinking about this intro quote again.
Stats from the pre-match:
— Arsenal: most power shots in league (27, 13 more than anyone)
— Eze: most power shots in league (8)
— Spurs: fewest blocks in league
— Spurs: opponents have missed 76.9% of clear chances, second-highest in league after Sunderland
(data: @gradientsports.bsky.social)
— Arsenal: most power shots in league (27, 13 more than anyone)
— Eze: most power shots in league (8)
— Spurs: fewest blocks in league
— Spurs: opponents have missed 76.9% of clear chances, second-highest in league after Sunderland
(data: @gradientsports.bsky.social)
November 23, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Stats from the pre-match:
— Arsenal: most power shots in league (27, 13 more than anyone)
— Eze: most power shots in league (8)
— Spurs: fewest blocks in league
— Spurs: opponents have missed 76.9% of clear chances, second-highest in league after Sunderland
(data: @gradientsports.bsky.social)
— Arsenal: most power shots in league (27, 13 more than anyone)
— Eze: most power shots in league (8)
— Spurs: fewest blocks in league
— Spurs: opponents have missed 76.9% of clear chances, second-highest in league after Sunderland
(data: @gradientsports.bsky.social)
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
November 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Think Merino has a lot to do with this back-five from Frank. Back-post crosses felt like a sure thing without an extra body.
November 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Think Merino has a lot to do with this back-five from Frank. Back-post crosses felt like a sure thing without an extra body.
What I’d like to see later:
1. Press the shit out of them. Lay off Romero, M2M everywhere else, aggressive jumps wide and on their #10
2. Let it rip: test their ability to block shots
3. Fast, grounded switches (followed by underlaps)
4. Back post crosses from the half-space
More here:
1. Press the shit out of them. Lay off Romero, M2M everywhere else, aggressive jumps wide and on their #10
2. Let it rip: test their ability to block shots
3. Fast, grounded switches (followed by underlaps)
4. Back post crosses from the half-space
More here:
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
The long game
On getting fit, navigating the schedule, and beating Spurs
billycarpenter.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
What I’d like to see later:
1. Press the shit out of them. Lay off Romero, M2M everywhere else, aggressive jumps wide and on their #10
2. Let it rip: test their ability to block shots
3. Fast, grounded switches (followed by underlaps)
4. Back post crosses from the half-space
More here:
1. Press the shit out of them. Lay off Romero, M2M everywhere else, aggressive jumps wide and on their #10
2. Let it rip: test their ability to block shots
3. Fast, grounded switches (followed by underlaps)
4. Back post crosses from the half-space
More here:
As I was looking for more context on injuries, something that stuck out to me: out of the top-5 leagues, the Premier League had the most aerial duels and the most successful tackles, but: the fewest fouls, fewest yellows, fewest reds.
November 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
As I was looking for more context on injuries, something that stuck out to me: out of the top-5 leagues, the Premier League had the most aerial duels and the most successful tackles, but: the fewest fouls, fewest yellows, fewest reds.
Now that that’s done, you have time to read. I outlined four ways Arsenal can smash Spurs tomorrow.
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
The long game
On getting fit, navigating the schedule, and beating Spurs
billycarpenter.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Now that that’s done, you have time to read. I outlined four ways Arsenal can smash Spurs tomorrow.
The amount of times in my life that I’ve seen Joelinton commit an obvious tactical yellow at the end of a close game and thought to myself “wait, doesn’t he already have one?”
And he never does.
And he never does.
November 22, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The amount of times in my life that I’ve seen Joelinton commit an obvious tactical yellow at the end of a close game and thought to myself “wait, doesn’t he already have one?”
And he never does.
And he never does.
Woltemade had 30 appearances and 2 goals for Werder Bremen the year before last. I've always meant to go back to that footage. I bet there are a lot of scouting secrets in there.
November 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Woltemade had 30 appearances and 2 goals for Werder Bremen the year before last. I've always meant to go back to that footage. I bet there are a lot of scouting secrets in there.
Love St. James' Park. I'm always saying this.
November 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Love St. James' Park. I'm always saying this.
Reposted by Billy Carpenter
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
The long game
On getting fit, navigating the schedule, and beating Spurs
billycarpenter.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
Buried lede: why I'd start Hincapié
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
The long game
On getting fit, navigating the schedule, and beating Spurs
billycarpenter.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Buried lede: why I'd start Hincapié
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
The long game
On getting fit, navigating the schedule, and beating Spurs
billycarpenter.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM
On Marco van Basten, the demands of modern football, and some specific ways Arsenal can target Spurs.
🔥📨
First thing tomorrow AM.
First thing tomorrow AM.
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
🔥📨
First thing tomorrow AM.
First thing tomorrow AM.
Starting to wonder if the ask of modern players is sustainable.
November 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Starting to wonder if the ask of modern players is sustainable.
I was feeling a *little* more sanguine before I saw that Sunderland were 16th in xG with the fewest shots on target in the league. They sure look better than that every time I tune in.
November 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I was feeling a *little* more sanguine before I saw that Sunderland were 16th in xG with the fewest shots on target in the league. They sure look better than that every time I tune in.