Best in Europe in 2024 - Will Arsenal's incredible defensive record lead to title?

There’s plenty of reasons to be happy as an Arsenal fan with Mikel Arteta’s men sitting top of the Premier League after an eventful weekend. The Gunners made light work of a potentially tricky away trip to Brighton as they eased to a 3-0 win. Arsenal’s attention will now turn to a massive Champions League clash against Bayern Munich but their title credentials look increasingly positive. 

It’s poised to be the most thrilling title race in years with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City only separated by one point with just seven games remaining. At this stage last season, Arsenal held a one point lead over City but they crumbled over the closing weeks with Pep Guardiola’s side winning the league by five points. When the jeopardy and pressure was at its highest, Arsenal lacked the mentality to get over the line but they look a more resilient team this season and that’s most apparent in their incredible defensive record.

4 goals conceded in 11 league games: Arsenal have best defensive record in top five leagues

Arsenal recorded their third consecutive clean sheet in the league against Brighton and it further highlighted their excellent defence. They’ve comfortably got the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 24 goals - six less than second ranked Liverpool. Arsenal have conceded 0.77 goals per game this season which is substantially better than last campaign when they conceded 43 goals at an average of 1.13 per game. Arsenal look more resolute this season with the addition of Declan Rice pivotal. The England international was widely viewed as a number 6 at West Ham but Arteta has played him higher in recent months with Jorginho featuring regularly in the deeper role. 

It provides solidity in midfield and protection for the back four and as the graphic above illustrates, Arsenal have the best defensive record across the top five leagues in 2024 having conceded just four times in eleven league games. They seldom look like conceding and they rarely give up good opportunities to their opponents as demonstrated in their defensive masterclass in the stalemate against Manchester City. From the pivotal 3-1 win over Liverpool in early February, Arsenal have only faced 12 shots on target in 8 games at an average 0.67 per game.

The key players in Arsenal’s defence

Arteta has transformed Arsenal’s fortunes since replacing Arsene Wenger and their centre-back partnership has been integral to their success. Gabriel and William Saliba are arguably the best partnership in the league and they form a dominant duo. Saliba’s absence was sorely felt in the title run-in last season with Rob Holding an inadequate replacement for the French international. The 23-year-old’s market value has upgraded by €5 million in Transfermarkt’s recent update to become the joint most valuable centre-back in the world at €80m alongside Rúben Dias. 

David Raya has also been a massive upgrade on Aaron Ramsdale with the Spaniard destined to win the golden glove award for the most clean sheets. Raya has recorded 12 clean sheets in 25 games in the league and leads Jordan Pickford by three. Oleksandr Zinchenko has returned to full fitness and started the last two games but Jakub Kiwior has impressed since being deployed at left-back and there’s genuine competition between the pair. At right-back, Ben White has enjoyed an outstanding season and he’s a major factor in Arsenal’s defensive record. Arteta needs to add trophies to his resume and they are in a strong position in the league while they will be favourites to progress past Bayern Munich into the semi-finals of the Champions League. If Arsenal are successful in their trophy quest this season then it will be based on their excellent defensive record.