SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Crystal Palace’s James McArthur is the epitome of an unsung hero.
While the likes of Wilfried Zaha steal the headlines every week, and Eberechi Eze dominates the highlight reels with flicks, tricks and inch-perfect freekicks, the terrier-like Scot quietly goes about his business.
In truth, McArthur has done so since his arrival in a £5.5 million deal from Wigan Athletic in 2014.
When the dust settles and the ex-Hamilton man is no longer at Selhurst Park, perhaps only then people will realise that he’s actually one of the most influential players in Crystal Palace’s Premier League history.
In terms of all-time Premier League wins, no player has been involved in more than the 33-year-old. The Premier League’s official site shows that the Glasgow-born midfielder has racked up 71 wins for the Eagles – Zaha is second on that list with 69 wins.
Additionally, McArthur has 203 Premier League appearances for the south Londoners under his belt. As a result, he sits second in the club’s all-time appearances makers behind Zaha, as far as Premier League outings are concerned.
On the pitch, the £55,000-a-week man (Spotrac) does the dirty work to allow players like Zaha, Eze, Jordan Ayew and Andros Townsend to thrive.
A naturally fit sportsman, WhoScored shows that McArthur has racked up three tackles per game in the Premier League this season, while also making 2.2 clearances and 1.7 interceptions.
Without his 2014 arrival, who knows where Crystal Palace would be now.
