Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for three years in a row at this point, and they will be hoping to go one step further this year.
The Gunners are looking to break their title drought that has lasted for over 20 years at this point, and, they’re in good shape to do just that.
Arsenal have signed Viktor Gyokeres, plugging one big problem position early in the summer, while Martin Zubimendi’s arrival should also strengthen the starting XI.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Sam Allardyce has been discussing Arsenal’s title chances, and he says that the Gunners have a great shot of winning the league due to the sheer number of clean sheets they keep.
Sam Allardyce says Arsenal could win the league due to clean sheet ratio
Allardyce spoke with Chris Powell about the Gunners’ title chances.
According to the former England manager, Arsenal have a great chance of winning the league due to the fact they keep so many clean sheets.
“They’ve got a number nine now. So yeah, they’re going to be up there again for sure,” Chris Powell said.
“And they’ve got the defence,” Allardyce said
“The clean sheet ratio gives them a great chance if they get the goals at the other end. Yeah.”
Premier League champions’ defensive records
Allardyce says Arsenal have the defensive abilities to win the Premier League, and he’s not wrong.
Indeed, the Gunners’ defensive record last season was up there with any team that has won the Premier League over the past 10 years.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been excellent, and the stats reflect that.
| Season | Champion | Clean Sheets (PL) | Goals Conceded (PL) | Goals Conceded per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Leicester City | 15 | 36 | 0.95 |
| 2016–17 | Chelsea | 16 | 33 | 0.87 |
| 2017–18 | Manchester City | 18 | 27 | 0.71 |
| 2018–19 | Manchester City | 20 | 23 | 0.61 |
| 2019–20 | Liverpool | 15 | 33 | 0.87 |
| 2020–21 | Manchester City | 19 | 32 | 0.84 |
| 2021–22 | Manchester City | 20 | 26 | 0.68 |
| 2022–23 | Manchester City | 13 | 33 | 0.87 |
| 2023–24 | Manchester City | 13 | 34 | 0.89 |
| 2024-25 | Liverpool | 14 | 41 | 1.07 |
| 2024-25 | Arsenal | 14 | 34 | 0.89 |
Arsenal’s issue last season was goals, but, as Powell says, Viktor Gyokeres has now arrived to remedy that situation.
Make no mistake about it, all the right pieces are in place for Arsenal to win the Premier League this season, but, as ever, making that happen is much easier said than done.
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