Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and centre-back Gabriel (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been tipped to become the first team to surpass Chelsea’s record of conceding only 15 goals in a single Premier League season.
The reigning champions secured the title last season largely through their defensive resilience, although they still finished with 27 goals against them.
After four matches this season, Arsenal have won all four and conceded just once, with David Raya delivering another outstanding performance in their victory over Sunderland.
That form has prompted former Chelsea defender Tony Cascarino to suggest that the Gunners could match the legendary standard established by Jose Mourinho’s 2004/05 side.
Arsenal’s defence has the potential to break the record
Cascarino described Arsenal as an “anaconda team” that suffocates opponents and said their quality across every department makes them capable of challenging Chelsea’s goals-conceded record.
He added that Chelsea’s achievement once seemed impossible to surpass and suggested this Arsenal side, or one developed further down the line, would continue to concede very few goals.
It may still be premature to determine whether Arsenal can achieve the feat. They began last season in similarly impressive fashion before their form dipped, and even then their defence helped them win the league and reach the Champions League final without matching Chelsea’s extraordinary mark.
Their solid back line remained the foundation of that success, although it fell short of breaking Chelsea’s remarkable record.
John Terry believes Chelsea’s record is safe
Chelsea legend John Terry, a key figure in the defence that made history, said last season that he could not see the record being broken.
“Can this record of 15 goals conceded in one season ever be beaten? I’m saying no. I was a little bit worried by the way Arsenal started the season, but it’s only January and the record is already gone. It’s safe for another year,” Terry said on social media in January, according to the Metro.
If Arsenal continue conceding at their current rate of 0.25 goals per match, they would comfortably break Chelsea’s record by the end of the campaign.
There will, however, be more demanding tests ahead. Fatigue, injuries and suspensions could all affect Arsenal’s defensive record over the course of a long and difficult season.
For now, the reigning champions remain one of the strongest contenders in this year’s title race.
