Arsenal's Defensive Record: A Historic Performance
After 812 minutes and eight consecutive matches without conceding a goal across all competitions, Arsenal's defense was finally breached at the Stadium of Light.
Hosts Sunderland demonstrated how to score against the Gunners, finding the net twice during the match.
While last Saturday's 2-2 draw may have slightly hindered Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations, their four-point lead at the top of the table is a testament to their formidable defense.
The eight clean sheets in a row equaled the club's own record set in 1903, a remarkable achievement considering the quality of their predecessors. This performance also matched the record set by Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920 for the most consecutive matches won without conceding by an English club.
As Mikel Arteta's squad prepares to host Tottenham on Sunday, many believe that a first league title since the 2003-04 season is within their reach.
So far this season, they have conceded just five goals in 11 matches, putting them on track to challenge the record for the fewest goals conceded in a season—15, set by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2004-05.
Arsenal's defensive unit, featuring Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori, with goalkeeper David Raya behind them, is undoubtedly elite. However, the health and fitness of these players are crucial for maintaining their performance. Concerns have arisen regarding Gabriel, who may be sidelined until January due to an injury sustained while on international duty, and Calafiori also has an injury that requires evaluation.
This season, Arsenal boasts the best defensive record in Europe's top five leagues, having conceded the fewest goals, faced the fewest shots on target, and achieved the most clean sheets. They have allowed only 21 shots on target in the Premier League, including just three in their last five matches. Their average of 1.9 shots on target faced per game is the lowest since Opta began recording in 2003-04.
To find a better record than this season's four consecutive league games without conceding, one must go back to September and October 1987 during George Graham's management, a period that inspired the famous "1-0 to the Arsenal" chant, celebrating a team with the defensive resilience that Arteta's squad is now replicating.
Sunderland's goals from Dan Ballard and an injury-time equalizer by Brian Brobbey denied Arsenal the chance to surpass Manchester United's Premier League record of 14 consecutive clean sheets, set in 2008-09. Meanwhile, Liverpool holds the record for clean sheets in the Premier League era, having gone 11 straight games without conceding under Rafael Benitez in 2005-06.
Martin Keown, a former Arsenal center-back and member of the club's 1998-99 side, noted in his BBC Sport column: "We can see with our own eyes how good the defense is. The only thing missing from their CV is trophies. If they could be champions, they would reach that elite level alongside these past title-winning teams."
Premier League's Top Defenses Through the Years
As Arsenal continues to impress, who are their rivals when it comes to the league's top defenses? Here are some notable units:
Chelsea (2004-05)
The Blues clinched the league title in Mourinho's first season, thanks in large part to the most formidable defense in league history, conceding just 15 goals.
Arsenal (1998-99)
Arsenal's best defense in the Premier League era? After winning the league and FA Cup double the previous season, they conceded only 17 goals but finished second behind Manchester United.
Manchester United (2007-08)
Perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest side, they conceded just 22 league goals while winning both the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool (2018-19)
Known for their prolific attack, they also boasted a solid defense, allowing only 22 goals throughout the season.
Manchester City (2018-19)
This remarkable team denied Liverpool the Premier League title by conceding 23 goals but securing one more point to become champions.