With seven games to go, the Premier League title race is as close as it can get. Arsenal are on top but just on goal difference against Liverpool with Manchester City just a point behind. After losing out on the title, Arsenal are determined to end their two-decade trophy drought. The Gunners have managed to build a squad that has challenged for trophies on multiple fronts.
The majority of the plaudits have gone on to the team’s attackers, such as Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard and Leandro Trossard. However, the team’s defence has been as good, if not better. Sir Alex Ferguson once said ‘Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles’. And Arsenal have been the perfect embodiment of this quote.
Last season, Arsenal lost the title by five points, but they also conceded ten more goals. Mikel Aretat said last season, “We are conceding too many simple goals.” This season, though, has been a different story, and we analyse how the Gunners have become one of the stingiest defences across Europe.
Arsenal 2023-24 defensive stats
With seven games to go, Arsenal conceded 24 goals, which is the least in the league. This is already seven less than what they conceded last season at the same stage. However, Arsenal also conceded 12 goals in the last seven games the previous season which does not appear to be the case with this season.
The club have conceded 260 shots, the second-least in the league. However, only 73 shots were on target, the best-record in the league. Arsenal’s improved defensive record is a collective effort of the backline and Declan Rice who has not been a great player but also a great leader.
Gabriel and William Saliba have been at the heart of the defence, keeping the opposition at bay. They are one of the major reasons why Arsenal have only conceded 491 touches in their box, the least in the league.
Arsenal have also improved upon their high-pressing skills. The Gunners currently are the second-best team on the Buildup Disruption Percentage (BDP). The BDP is a metric that measures how often a team disrupts the opposition’s buildup either through tackles, dispossession or interceptions.
Arteta’s men also dominate on the Field Tilt, which measures the percentage of possession a team has in the opposition’s half. Arenal are the second-best team in the league after Manchester City in the league.
This high pressing style allows the opposition less time on the ball, giving them fewer…
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