Arsenal could be about to do something they haven’t done for 17 years in the Premier League

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Arsenal could pull something off that they haven’t managed in the Premier League since 2008 when they take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The Gunners have had a mixed start to the new season, winning their opening two games against Manchester United and Leeds respectively, before losing away at Liverpool at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning late free-kick defeated Arsenal on Merseyside, and it’s imperative for Mikel Arteta that his side responds against Forest.

Fans are buoyed by Ange Postecoglou’s appointment at the City Ground, with the North London club’s supporters optimistic that their team can blow the Australian’s side away at the Emirates.

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Arsenal can keep two clean sheets in first two home games for first time since 2008

Arsenal thrashed Leeds 5-0 in their first match in N5 this season.

Braces from Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber, as well as an exceptional strike from Bukayo Saka, saw off the Yorkshire outfit.

Having kept a clean sheet against Daniel Farke’s team, the Gunners now have the opportunity to break a long-standing duck.

Arsenal haven’t prevented the opposition from scoring in each of their first two home matches since the 2008/09 season, when they beat West Brom 1-0 and then Newcastle 3-0 in their opening two fixtures at the Emirates.

This will no doubt give David Raya and his back four added motivation to keep a clean sheet, with an elusive record on the line.

Last season, the Gunners kept Wolves out in their first home fixture, but conceded to Joao Pedro against Brighton in the second.

Before that, Arsenal hadn’t even kept a clean sheet in their opening Emirates match since the 2012/13 campaign, when they drew 0-0 to Sunderland.

Potential clean sheet record shows how far Arsenal have come defensively

This staggering record is not a good indictment of Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery’s ability to coach a competent defence.

For years, the Gunners were calamitous from a defensive standpoint, struggling to keep the opposition from carving through them perpetually.

As shown by the results above, Arsenal haven’t been ready to defend against good quality opposition early in the season in the past.

However, Arteta has completely reversed the Gunners’ fortunes in this aspect, building a solid defensive foundation for the attack to thrive.

If they secure a clean sheet against Forest, it will be another sign of just how far Arsenal have come under the Spaniard.