Our series of previews leading into tomorrow night’s blockbuster Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Liverpool concludes as Opta-powered fantasy football game www.oulala.com takes a closer look at Christian Benteke.
Over in Merseyside, Benteke has enjoyed a good start to his Liverpool career after joining from Aston Villa in the summer.
Last Monday night the Belgian netted his first goal in his new colours on his Anfield debut against Bournemouth as the Reds ran out 1-0 winners. It was also his 43rd Premier League goal and 50th career goal in England, after three successful seasons at with the Villans.
During 2014-15 the 24-year-old netted 13 times in 29 Premier League games for Villa. On average each goal came every 183 minutes. His goal to shots ratio was reasonable, with a strike-rate of 16%. While his shot accuracy sat at 45%.
Benteke won a total of 187 aerial duels last season, an average of 6.5 per game. 17 more than his closest challenger, Graziano Pellè of Southampton.
The Belgian also created an average of 1.1 chances per game for his Villa teammates and he had a pass completion of 67%.
In the summer Liverpool made a host of new additions, Benteke headlining for a reported fee of £32.5 million.
Despite failing to score on his EPL debut away to Stoke, normal service resumed for the striker as he hit the winner at home to Bournemouth. The Belgian has shown improvements in many areas for Liverpool since his move.
One goal in his first two games has resulted in a return average of once every 180 minutes. His strike-rate is up to 25%, with his shot accuracy also rising to 67%.
The 24-year-old is already leading the aerial duels charts, winning a total of 18 so far this season, a rate of nine per game. He is also showing improvement creatively, providing his new teammates with two chances in each outing.
The only area analysed where he has dropped is passing. Falling to 62% for pass completion.
Benteke has previously netted twice against Petr Cech, in May and August of 2013.
Will the Belgian add to his tally against the new Arsenal goalkeeper? Or can the Czech notch up his first clean sheet of the 2015-16 season?
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