Mikel Arteta reveals ‘key’ reason behind major Arsenal improvement in one area

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are competing in the Premier League title race, and a big factor behind their good form has been their outstanding defensive work.

William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice have all been paramount to Arsenal’s incredible defence, which is now the best in the Premier League and one of the best in Europe.

In Arsenal’s last three away games ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad, Arsenal have scored 17 times without reply, and they have hardly conceded any shots or big chances.

Mikel Arteta’s side are snuffing attacks out before they can get anywhere near the box, and if they do, David Raya’s form has hit a different level after a tough start.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace David Raya from his girlfriend to tattoo

Arteta has now explained what he has implemented in this Arsenal side to make them so strong defensively.

Mikel Arteta explains why Arsenal have a world-class defence

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta highlighted how the tactical ideas he has implemented across his whole side have led to such a strong defence, rather than it being solely down to the individual quality of his defenders.

“The key is that everybody goes 100 miles per hour for every ball. Our strikers, our wingers, our attacking midfielders, they have a love for defending,” he stated.

“Installing that within the players is something really important. Applauding and paying compliments to that as well, so when those defensive actions happen, they are valued as much as the attacking ones. If you want to win consistently, that door has to be shut.”

Arsenal defend as a unit all over the pitch

Arsenal are able to play one of the highest defensive lines in the league because of their outstanding centre-backs, but the work of the whole team helps them keep the ball away from the box.

The front line, with Kai Havertz now flourishing as a centre-forward, helps win the ball higher up the pitch, and Havertz in particular uses his physicality to hold the ball, as well as disrupt opposition build-up play.

Martin Odegaard is often leading the press from midfield, and this means that when Arsenal are not in possession, they win it back quickly and prevent attacks from happening before the opposition can even begin them.

Arsenal can defend high knowing that the aggressive David Raya can sweep up after them, whilst wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also press intensely, and all of these factors from back to front has helped Arteta develop this world-class defensive unit, whilst also scoring more than anyone else.