After beating Fulham on Saturday evening, Arsenal have now achieved something that they haven’t managed since the season they went unbeaten in 2003/04.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal to secure all three points at Craven Cottage for Mikel Arteta’s side, tapping home from a Bukayo Saka corner that had been nodded on by Gabriel Magalhaes.
The result sees the Gunners move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
Arteta’s side are now in a commanding position in the title race with some winnable fixtures to come, while their outstanding defensive record continues to prove to be the difference.
Arsenal haven’t faced a shot on target in consecutive league games for the first time since 2003/04
Arsenal have now conceded just three goals in their first eleven matches across all competitions.
They’re able to rely on their defence to secure all three points on a regular basis, with their attack merely needing to conjure up a single moment to win most games.
This is essentially what unfolded in West London on Saturday night. The Gunners weren’t fluid in the final third, and struggled to break down Fulham’s stubborn low block.
However, they nicked a goal from a set-piece, while their defence contained the Cottagers extremely effectively.
Not only did Marco Silva’s side finish the 90 minutes having amassed just 0.44 expected goals, but they also failed to register a shot on target.
West Ham also didn’t manage a shot on target against Arsenal in the Gunners’ last fixture, meaning Arteta’s outfit have gone consecutive Premier League games without the opponent having an effort reach their goal.
According to Opta, this is the first time the North Londoners have managed this since November 2003, which was, of course, the last time they won the league.
Arsene Wenger’s side famously went unbeaten in that campaign, while the second game in that run of no shots on target was also against Fulham.
It bodes well for their prospects this season.
What Mikel Arteta has done with Arsenal defensively is extraordinary
Arsenal are now playing at a pace which will see them concede just 14 goals this season.
Of course, it will be difficult to sustain this defensive level, but it’s not implausible. If they do manage to, they’ll break Chelsea’s record of conceding the fewest goals in a Premier League season, which was set by Jose Mourinho’s team in 2004/05.
The fact that conversations are even being had about Arteta’s team beating this record is astounding. The Spanish manager has taken a team that was disorganised and a mess under Unai Emery, and made them the most coherently structured side in the world in the space of six years.
Arteta deserves more flowers for this incredible feat, particularly as it could just lead them to the Premier League title.
Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Burnley await Arsenal in their next three league games, and none of these sides will be confident in their ability to breach the Gunners’ back-line.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
