Premier League quartet join Arsenal target in most aerially dominant XI in Europe

In the modern day of football, teams are usually instructed to keep the ball on the deck to play a more aesthetically pleasing style of the game. However, aerial dominance is still crucial regardless of the calibre of a side, with any team needing a player to boss proceedings in the air where required. 

In the final of this stats-based XI series, we take a look at those who boast the best aerial dominance in Europe's top five leagues this season, with outfielders needing to have contested 50 or more aerial duels this term to come into contention... 

Goalkeeper: Alexandre Oukidja (Metz) - 100% aerial success rate 

A host of goalkeepers boast a 100% aerial success rate in Europe's top five leagues this season, but Metz number one Alexandre Oukidja secures a spot in this XI having won more aerial duels (22) than any other goalkeeper. The Algerian is a key reason Metz are keeping their heads above water with his save success rate in 2020 (88%) better than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues, with Oukidja clearly as effective at facing shots as he is when dealing with an aerial threat. 

Right-back: Joseba Zaldua (Real Sociedad) - 67.1% 

The first of three LaLiga representatives in this XI, Joseba Zaldua has consistently proven how effective he can be when dealing with any direct threat down his side of the pitch. The 27-year-old boasts an aerial success rate of 67.1% in LaLiga this season, winning 53 of his 79 contested headed battles, a fine return for a player who stands at just 5'9". 

Centre-back: Bruno Alves (Parma) - 87.2% 

The first of three centre-backs in a 5-3-2 setup, opponents struggle to get the better of Bruno Alves in the air, with the 38-year-old's only WhoScored strength deemed to be Very Strong happening to be 'Aerial Duels'. It's for good reason, too, with his average of 3.2 aerial duels won per game ranking among the top 10 players in Serie A this season. The experienced Portuguese centre-back has failed to win just 10 of his 78 headed battles, yielding a fine aerial success rate of 87.2% in the process.

Centre-back: Neven Subotic (Union Berlin) - 77.9% 

In their debut Bundesliga season, Union Berlin are very much exceeding expectations. The capital side are currently 11th in the league, two places and two points above rivals Hertha, and the experience of Neven Subotic at the back has been key. 41 goals conceded is a commendable return for a newly promoted side, with Subotic's 3.2 aerial duels won per game among the best in the league of all defenders. Winning 77.9% of his headed battles, Subotic's dominance in air has been essential for Die Eisernen. 

Centre-back: Kortney Hause (Aston Villa) - 80% 

The Premier League's first representative is Aston Villa's Kortney Hause. Having joined Villa from Midlands rivals Wolves last January on loan, Hause's move to the Villans was made permanent over the summer and he has been a dominant force in the air since. The 24-year-old boasts a WhoScored strength of 'Aerial Duels' and having won 80% of head aerial battles, it's easy to see why. 

Left-back: Dan Burn (Brighton) - 76.1% 

Standing at a daunting 6'6", it's remarkable that Dan Burn loses any aerial duels at all. The towering defender has largely been used at left-back by Graham Potter for Brighton this season and he, of course, uses his height to good effect. The 27-year-old has just one WhoScored strength and with an aerial success of 76.1%, reinforcing that sole strength of 'Aerial Duels'.

Central midfield: Tomas Rincon (Torino) - 68.3% 

The second and final Serie A representative is Torino's Tomas Rincon, who has won 68.3% of his aerial duels this season. Torino rank second for aerial duels won per game (19.4) in Serie A this term with Rincon evidently crucial for that return being as high as it is, this coming despite the midfielder standing at 5'10" as he utilises his fine leap. 

Central midfield: Etienne Capoue (Watford) - 70.5% 

Etienne Capoue boasts all the attributes to succeed in any midfield. Measuring in at 6'2", the Frenchman uses his height to good effect to help the Watford defence from aerial bombardments as his 70.5% aerial success rate suggests. While he has struggled to live up to his billing as one of Europe's best midfielders having shown great potential with Toulouse, Capoue remains a key man for the Hornets. 

Central midfield: Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid) - 67.7% 

One of the most sought after midfielders in Europe, another feather in Thomas Partey's bow is his notable aerial dominance. The Ghana international is being courted by a host of big name clubs who are looking to take advantage of his modest £47m release clause and as effective at denying opponents with the ball on the deck as he is in the air, Partey completes the midfield in this XI with a aerial success rate of 67.7%. 

Striker: Andy Carroll (Newcastle) - 65.5% 

He may have only registered 508 minutes of Premier League action this season, yet Andy Carroll has contested the 48th most aerial duels (116) in England's top tier this term and 9.7% of the Magpies' total despite playing fewer than six games' worth of minutes. Newcastle very much utilise his ability in the air when he is used and it's for good reason with Carroll boasting an aerial success rate of 65.5% this season. 

Striker: Joselu (Alaves) - 64.8% 

What could have been for Newcastle, with former Magpies forward Joselu rounding off this XI. The Spaniard has been a revelation for Alaves on the back of his summer arrival from the Premier League side, with only Lionel Messi (13) winning more WhoScored man of the match awards than Joselu (8) in LaLiga this term. Much of that has been down to his aerial ability having won 64.8% of his headed battles to partner Carroll in this XI.