• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Fans are only just realising the amount of time the ball spends in play in the Premier League

Home> Football

Updated 15:34 6 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 15:35 6 Jan 2023 GMT

Fans are only just realising the amount of time the ball spends in play in the Premier League

It comes after the ball was in play for just 51 minutes and 23 seconds during Arsenal vs. Newcastle.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Fans are absolutely baffled after just realising the amount of time the ball spends in play in the Premier League.

During the 2022 World Cup, fourth officials were encouraged to increase the amount of added time due to in-game stoppages in an attempt to prevent time-wasting.

And it proved to be a beneficial concept considering how long the ball was in play for during Tuesday's goalless draw between Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Advert

The ball remained in play at the Emirates for just 51 minutes and 23 seconds - that's just over half a match.

Sean Longstaff and Ben White during Arsenal vs. Newcastle. Image: Alamy
Sean Longstaff and Ben White during Arsenal vs. Newcastle. Image: Alamy

The 51:23 time is below the 2022/23 Premier League average of 55.9 per cent (54 minutes and 49 seconds), according to Opta Analyst.

55 minutes being the average time the ball spends in play in England's top flight stunned fans online.

Advert

They bemoaned the 54:49 time as they even backed the World Cup's added time initiative to be introduced into the Premier League.

One Twitter user wrote: "That’s why we need 60 minute games and a stopping clock. Literally gets rid of all the time wasting in football. Probably better if it’s 45 or 50 minute games even."

A second tweeted: "That's why the calculated extra time at the world cup was a nice idea. We would literally have minimum 15 mins added time every game with the amount of time wasting that happens in the PL."

A third added: "This is why they are looking at going to 60 minute games but the clock stops whenever plays stops. Good idea in my eyes however I feel some games could end up being very long lol."

Advert

A fourth said: "Need to implement the World Cup extra time system or at least something similar."

Another commented: "Bring the World Cup added time criteria to the EPL."

How does the Premier League's average ball in play time compare to other leagues around Europe?

Well, the 54:49 time is better than the Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga.

Advert

The Eredivisie boasts the best ball in play time, which stands at 57 minutes and 40 seconds ahead Ligue 1 (55 minutes and 20 seconds).

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Premier League, Football

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Second Real Madrid player leaves the club immediately after PSG defeat with huge deal in the works

    Real Madrid were battered by Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson left 'furious' by 'careless' piece of commentary by Martin Tyler as full story revealed

    Martin Tyler angered Sir Alex Ferguson with his comment on commentary and apologised to the Manchester United legend.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates as he makes outrageous claim after PSG defeat

    Real Madrid were eliminated from the Club World Cup following their crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans turn on two players after embarrassing defeat to PSG in FIFA Club World Cup

    Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by the Champions League winners.

    Football
  • What happened to the three English players including Premier League star ‘banned’ for match-fixing following jail sentences
  • Club World Cup round of 16 bracket confirmed and fans are only just realising who could face each other in the final
  • MPs vote on making Premier League games free-to-air in the UK
  • Ex-England and Premier League footballer arrested at airport as police statement issued