We're officially a team full of lightweights...

[AKBapologist]

The folks at The Daily Mail have compiled a graphic that conveys the average height and weight of every Premier League team on the opening weekend of the 2014/15 season.

According to their calculations, Arsenal are the shortest team in the English top flight, with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez both clocking in well under 6', contributing to a lowly average height of 5'9".

Santi Cazorla, meanwhile, is the league's shortest player at just 5'6".

Across London, meanwhile, most of Chelsea's players will have no trouble reaching the top shelf at the supermarket, as their average height is a lofty 6'1".

Thibaut Courtois (6'6"), Nemanja Matic (6'4"), Gary Cahill (6'3") and John Terry (6'1.5") all raise the mean height, making up for Cesc Fabregas (5'10") and the pint-sized Eden Hazard (5'8").

The Blues were also the second-heaviest team of the weekend at an average 12st 4lbs. Their west London neighbours QPR, meanwhile, carried the most weight, tipping the scales at 12st 7lbs.

Arsenal shared the honour of being the lightest team with new boys Burnley, both averaging out at just 11st.

[Niall_Quinn]

Starting team vs Palace just under 5'11'' and this article is bullshit.

Ches 1.98
Gibbo 1.78
Kos 1.86
Chambo 1.82
Debu 1.77
Arts 1.76
Jack 1.72
Rambo 1.78
Santi 1.65
Alexis 1.69
Yoyo 1.91

Avg 1.79m ~ 5'11'' (http://www.height-converter.com/)

That's without Merts who would push it on towards 6' avg.

[I am invisible]

I swear Gary Cahill grows an inch every time I check his stats? He was 6'2 when we were being linked with him a couple of years ago, this Daily Mail 'article' has him at 6'3, and I've just checked his wikipedia page and he's shot up to 6'4?

[Özim]

Starting team vs Palace just under 5'11'' and this article is bullshit.

Ches 1.98
Gibbo 1.78
Kos 1.86
Chambo 1.82
Debu 1.77
Arts 1.76
Jack 1.72
Rambo 1.78
Santi 1.65
Alexis 1.69
Yoyo 1.91

Avg 1.79m ~ 5'11'' (http://www.height-converter.com/)

That's without Merts who would push it on towards 6' avg.

Doesn't change the fact we're a smallish team by today's standards and that isn't going to help us defending set pieces.

[Letters]

If only we'd signed Peter Crouch

[Letters]

Doesn't change the fact we're a smallish team by today's standards and that isn't going to help us defending set pieces.

I was struggling to find some stats on that but I don't think conceding goals from set pieces was a big issue last year.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Typical daily fail article really.

I'm surprised they didn't find a way to write about how Ozil is stealing his height stats

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I have no idea what this article is supposed to show.

And again, post links!

[Özim]

I was struggling to find some stats on that but I don't think conceding goals from set pieces was a big issue last year.

It might not have been but if you have smaller players generally it will mean you'll find it tough against taller teams in the air at set pieces.

[Niall_Quinn]

Doesn't change the fact we're a smallish team by today's standards and that isn't going to help us defending set pieces.

The facts:

Set-pieces and lofted balls into the box used to be a sure-fire way of scoring against Arsenal. Not any more. With a settled back four of Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs, the Gunners have the third best defensive record in the league. Only Southampton and Tottenham have shipped fewer goals.

Against the Saints, Arsenal were successful with all 34 of their attempted clearances. Of that total, 24 came with the head. They made 17 interceptions, 4 blocks and won 28 of their 32 aerial duels. Mertesacker was immense, making 7 clearances – bettered only by his central defensive partner, Koscielny.

Unsurprisingly, the German was unbeatable in the air. Five times he went up against an opponent, five times he came out on top.

The Daily Fail:

SIGN FOR THE SEASON
Arsenal’s chronic set piece problems look likely to continue. New full-back Mathieu Debuchy was guilty of completely losing scorer Brede Hangeland for the opening goal, with the Palace defender ending up five yards off his marker. It remains an area of concern for Arsene Wenger particularly when Per Mertesacker is unavailable.

Daily Fail - #stealingaliving