Arsenal and Manchester City now lead all 92 clubs in the English football pyramid when to comes to one stat.
Arsenal have been incredibly solid at the back this season.
The Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own this season. No side in the Premier League has conceded fewer goals this season so far than the Gunners, who have only had their net breached on 24 occasions in 28 league matches.
What makes Arsenal so good at the back?
There are several factors that have come together to make the north London club such a difficult team for opposition sides to break down. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are regarded by some to be the best centre-back partnership currently in action in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, right-back Ben White typifies the “warrior” spirit that defines this Arsenal team. David Raya has also contributed since being made the first-choice option between the sticks. He plays the sweeper-keeper role proactively, and excels at coming off his line to claim crosses that come into his box. This means that situations are often dealt with before they become too dangerous.
Mikel Arteta also sets up his team to defend on the front foot. Club captain Martin Odegaard leads by example, as he presses and harries opposition players relentlessly when they are in possession. All of the Gunners’ attacking stars are expected to track back and due their defensive duty, though. Gabriel Martinelli has been hailed for his efforts in this regard.
The additions of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice have added extra physicality to the spine of the team. The former West Ham United man is also arguably the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League.
Do Arsenal have the best defence in English football?
All of these elements combine to make it very difficult for opposing teams to ever get a shot off on goal against the Gunners.
In fact, as per playmaker stats, only five clubs in the top four leagues of English football have conceded fewer than ten shots per game on average this season. League Two’s Stockport County face 9.5 shots per match. Meanwhile, Leeds United of the Championship, and Derby County in League One, both concede 9.4.
Far ahead of the rest, though, are Arsenal and Manchester City. The Gunners and Pep Guardiola’s reigning Premier League champions both only give up 8.3. shots on their goal per game.
Arteta’s side will need to keep this remarkable defensive record up if they are to go all the way to glory in the Premier League and Champions League this season.