In an period when human efficiency and sports activities science proceed to advance at a exceptional tempo, there are only a few soccer information that stay really untouchable. However Chelsea's 2004-05 Premier League marketing campaign stays one of many nice exceptions. José Mourinho's facet conceded solely 15 objectives on their strategy to profitable the title, a document that has stood unchallenged for twenty years.
No group has come shut since. Chelsea themselves conceded 22 instances the next season and, together with Manchester United in 2007-08 and Liverpool in 2018-19, got here closest to the magical 15 quantity. However even then, these three groups have been nonetheless seven objectives shy.
To place Chelsea's phenomenal document into perspective, Wolves and West Ham have already let in 16 objectives this season – yet one more than Mourinho's facet did in 38 video games.
However Arsenal, who logged one more clear sheet on the weekend away to Fulham, are on monitor to beat Chelsea's well-known document. Their newest shutout means they've conceded solely 3 times in eight league video games this season – a fee of 0.38 objectives per recreation. In the event that they preserve that tempo, they are going to be heading in the right direction to concede 14.4 objectives throughout the complete 38-match season. If they'll maintain that right down to 14, it might, in fact, break the document.
Mikel Arteta has constructed a unprecedented defensive unit and the early numbers underline simply how dominant they've been. On a per-game foundation, Arsenal lead all groups in Europe's high 5 leagues for objectives conceded and anticipated objectives conceded. They rank second in Europe for each whole photographs and photographs on course confronted, whereas the standard of possibilities they permit – measured by xG per shot – can be the second lowest of any group.
the place Arsenal are conceding their photographs from not solely reveals us how few possibilities they're giving up from a sheer quantity standpoint, but in addition that they've been distinctive at defending their very own six-yard field. A lot of that stems from the commanding presence of the centre-backs Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, who've been formidable defensive presences on the coronary heart of Arsenal's again 4, with goalkeeper David Raya greater than taking part in his half.
Arteta has been capable of discipline a really acquainted defensive unit in entrance of Raya, which has little question helped contribute to their stubborn shows. Gabriel and Saliba have began six of Arsenal's eight league video games collectively, offering a strong platform. When Saliba has been unavailable, 21-year-old Cristhian Mosquera has slotted in impressively. At full-back, Riccardo Calafiori has began each recreation and Jurriën Timber seven of eight. Each carry large physicality and excel in one-on-one conditions.
With solely three objectives conceded after eight video games, how does Arsenal's begin stack up traditionally? Seven groups in Premier League historical past have conceded two or fewer objectives of their opening eight video games. Chelsea's 2004-05 facet, the gold normal, stored seven clear sheets in that span, and conceded simply as soon as.
However as historical past reveals, sustaining this stage of defensive solidity over a complete season is way from simple, nor does a superb begin assure success come the tip of the marketing campaign. Of these seven groups, solely three – Chelsea (2004-05 and 2005-06) and Manchester United (2007-08) – went on to win the title. Leicester Metropolis in 2000-01 ended up thirteenth.
Arsenal know that lesson all too effectively. In 1998-99, they conceded solely 17 objectives all season, however went on to complete second. That whole remains to be the fewest objectives conceded by a group that didn't win the title, with their defensive excellence undermined by an absence of objectives on the different finish of the pitch.
This time, issues look totally different. Arsenal scored simply 59 objectives in 1998-99, the fourth-most that season, and 21 fewer than eventual champions Manchester United. This season, they've scored 15 in eight video games, which places them heading in the right direction for a strong, if not spectacular, 71.
However with scoring charges down throughout the league this season, that shouldn't be too regarding, significantly as their underlying attacking metrics look high-quality; their total xG of 14.1 is the fourth-highest within the league, with Crystal Palace (17.4 xG) very a lot inside touching distance.
This has been achieved with out their assault absolutely clicking. Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz have missed important spells, they usually all stay out. Viktor Gyökeres hasn't but discovered high gear and Bukayo Saka has additionally had time on the sidelines.
If and when that attacking rhythm arrives, and if the defence continues at this exceptional stage, Arsenal shall be extraordinarily onerous to cease. Breaking Chelsea's 15-goal document should still be a tall order however, proper now, Arteta's facet are giving it a severe go. In doing so, they could simply be constructing a title-winning platform.
That is an article by Opta Analyst
