The philosophy behind Arsenal's defensive record

08/11/2025 09:19:00 VictoryVox

When the referee blew the final whistle at Fortuna Arena, Arsenal not only left Prague with a 3-0 win over Slavia but also reached a historic milestone: 8 consecutive clean sheets, a record the North London team hadn't matched since 1903.

This number not only reflects their excellent form but also reveals a deeply collective defensive philosophy that Mikel Arteta has diligently built over the past three years.

The slogan behind the record

Before the Burnley match, Arteta spoke about the spirit he wants his players to uphold: "We must truly feel that this is our home, and no one is allowed to trespass. When stepping onto the pitch, the players must carry the energy and desire to protect this home."

The message "Defend our house" is not just a slogan but has become part of Arsenal’s DNA in every match. Young player Myles Lewis-Skelly once said: "We call Emirates our home and no one scores there. We are proud of that."

From this spirit, Arsenal has made keeping clean sheets a standard. In their last 7 games, they have faced only 9 shots on target, 6 of which came from the Carabao Cup win against Brighton. In the victory over Slavia, David Raya didn’t even need to make a save.

To achieve the 776-minute streak without conceding, Arsenal relies on the stability of their defense composed of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Piero Hincapie. This quartet shows near-perfect spatial control, cover, and coordination. Against Slavia, they neutralized the threat of the 1.98m striker Tomas Chory with a few clever duels and accurate anticipation.

What pleases Arteta most is not the tackles themselves but the collective spirit where each player sees defending as their own responsibility. When Nwaneri made a mistake in midfield, Hincapie immediately dropped back to stop the counterattack. When Gabriel was beaten, Saliba was there in time to cover. No single moment was spectacular enough to be highlighted, but those quiet moments created the foundation for the defensive record.

Arsenal has just equaled a defensive record that has stood since 1903.

Arteta always stresses the "collective emotion" in defense. He wants players to feel that blocking a shot is as valuable as scoring a goal. The image of Gabriel shouting joyfully after a block in the final minutes of the 6-0 win over Lens in the 2023/24 season has become a symbol of this spirit.

Arsenal’s new identity

Two seasons ago, Arsenal struggled with individual defensive mistakes. But this season, those errors are almost gone. The team has conceded only one goal from open play in the last three months, which clearly shows the maturity of the whole squad.

Raya, once doubted as Ramsdale’s replacement, is now experiencing the most comfortable phase of his career. Though rarely required to make spectacular saves, he shines at crucial moments, such as blocking a close-range shot against West Ham or making a brilliant reflex save against Nottingham Forest. But above all, the system in front of him is the key factor that makes Arsenal’s fortress impregnable.

Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal was famous for their attractive attacking style. But Arteta has created a different version: cold, effective, and consistent. Defending is no longer just the defenders’ responsibility but the duty of the entire team.

In the 39 days since their last conceded goal against Newcastle, Arsenal has evolved from a possession-based team into a group that values overall performance. They press in an organized manner, recover the ball quickly, and transition very flexibly. Impressively, despite playing every three days, their intensity and focus have not dropped.

Arteta confirms: "What pleases me most is not the record but the players’ mentality. They talk about needing to improve more, about situations they could handle better. When this progressive mindset continues, every record gains more value."

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