Arsenal challenged for the Premier League title for the second year in a row, but yet again they came up short in the race against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side have finished second in back-to-back seasons, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism at Arsenal. Although this campaign did not end with any silverware, it was a year to remember as the Gunners showed they are capable of competing at the very top level.
Unlike last season, which saw Arsenal collapse in the final two months of the season to surrender their winning position, they fought until the very end, recording 16 wins from their final 18 games in the league.
After a slow start to the campaign, Arsenal hit their best level yet under Arteta, and stats now show just how much his side have improved.
Arsenal improved in attacking areas from 2022-23 season in 2024
Arsenal have significantly improved in a range of different stats, which show how they are a much better side now than they were when they finished second before.
The Gunners were more creative, registering 657 shots, compared to 593 last season, whilst they also fired in more shots on target, with 228 compared to 204.
This was also reflected in their expected goals tally, which increased from 72.3 total in 2022-23, to 77.5 this season.
Arsenal scored three extra goals, with 91 in the Premier League compared to 88 last season, and this came despite a lot of change upfront between Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal now have more solid defence than in 2022-23
The defence was perhaps Arsenal’s strongest position this season, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White all thriving in front of David Raya, and this was reflected in the goals conceded record.
Arsenal conceded 43 times last season, but this was dramatically reduced to 29 in 38 games, which is the lowest total of any of the club’s Premier League campaigns.
Arteta’s side faced less shots as a result, with 323 faced this time compared to 342 last season.
The biggest improvement though, lies in shots on target faced. In 2022-23, Aaron Ramsdale was busy in goal as he faced 137 shots. Arsenal this time, with Raya and Ramsdale both featuring, conceded just 87 shots on target, a swing of 50 shots.
This is reflected in the expected goals against total, which measures the quality of chances conceded, and this took a huge drop from 42.3 xGA, to 28.4.
Arsenal are scoring more, conceding less and asserting more control over games, and it surely only a matter of time before this team goes on to beat City to the Premier League title.