Arsenal have kicked off the 2023/24 Premier League season with a remarkable run of form, and their defensive solidity is at the heart of their success.
After ten games, the Gunners are one of only two sides yet to suffer defeat in the English top flight, along with table toppers Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s side share an identical points tally with defending champions Manchester City (24) but have won seven of their ten games, drawing three.
Despite their struggles in attack, Arsenal currently boasts the joint-second-best final-third return in the division with 23 goals.
The Gunners are tied with Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion in the goals scored category, while only top-four hopefuls Aston Villa and Newcastle United have netted more (26 each).
Arsenal’s offensive strength can be attributed to their high proportion of possession in the attacking third, leading the Premier League with 36% of their time spent in the opponent’s half.
Additionally, they boast the best big chance conversion rate in the division, with 54.2% of their clear-cut opportunities resulting in goals.
🎁 Best big chance conversion rates in the Premier League:🥇 Arsenal – 54.2%🥈 Newcastle – 53.7%🥉 Liverpool – 51.5%🏅 Tottenham – 46.4%🏅 Brighton – 44.1% pic.twitter.com/XiiCYieWHd— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) October 31, 2023
The Gunners’ defensive resilience has also played a vital role in their impressive start.
They have conceded only eight goals, mirroring their performance after the first ten games of the 2022/23 season, where they closely contested for the title with Man City.
Their eight goals conceded represents the second-best defensive record in the Premier League, second only to Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side, who have allowed just seven goals.
In terms of shots conceded per game, Arsenal also holds the second spot, yielding an average of 8.4 shots per match. They trail Man City, who have conceded only 6.4 shots per game.
🔒 Fewest shots conceded per game in the Premier League this season:🥇 Manchester City – 6.8🥈 Arsenal – 8.4🥉 Aston Villa – 10.8🏅 Chelsea – 11.1🏅 Newcastle – 11.5 pic.twitter.com/FlMLrIAuQ9— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 2, 2023
On Saturday, Arsenal face a formidable challenge in Newcastle, a side that has conceded just 11 goals, with only four teams, including the Gunners, conceding fewer goals.
Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle promises to be an intriguing battle between a resilient defence and an attacking force known for converting clear-cut chances with great efficiency.
Arsenal must also remain cautious about Newcastle’s attacking prowess, as the Magpies boast the second-highest conversion rate for big chances in the Premier League at 53.7%, just behind Arteta’s side.