41 goals conceded, 30 clean sheets: The numbers behind Arsenal’s remarkable defense
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“Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles.” This famous quote from Sir Alex Ferguson has been taken to heart by Mikel Arteta as he seeks to bring silverware to Arsenal. The north London club is on the verge of a truly historic season, bringing an end to a six-year trophy drought.
After defeating Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals, Arsenal has reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years—only the second in club history. Arteta’s men are also strong favorites to lift the Premier League trophy, holding a five-point lead over Manchester City with three matches remaining, though City has a game in hand. The backbone of their success this season has undoubtedly been their defense. On Tuesday night, Arsenal recorded their 30th clean sheet of the season in 59 matches, and their defensive numbers are by far the best in Europe.
With William Saliba and Gabriel forming one of the world’s top central defensive partnerships, and David Raya making a strong case as the best goalkeeper globally, Arteta boasts a wealth of options on the flanks. Declan Rice provides incredible protection from midfield. As the chart below shows, Arsenal has conceded only 41 goals in 59 games across all competitions, averaging 0.69 goals against per match.
That is the best defensive record among clubs from Europe’s top five leagues. AC Milan ranks second with 0.82 goals conceded per 90 minutes, while Como—managed by former Arsenal player Cesc Fàbregas—completes the top three (0.83). Unsurprisingly, six Serie A clubs feature in the top ten, reflecting the traditionally defensive style of Italian football. Interestingly, the Bundesliga is the only top-five league without a representative in the top ten.
