Mikel Arteta taking inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson in Arsenal title pursuit | OneFootball

Arteta knows record-breaking defence will be key for Gunners in quest to end 21-year title wait

Sir Alex Ferguson famously said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”

Tuesday’s clean sheet in the 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid was their ninth of the campaign, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland remains the only player to score against them from open play.

If Arsenal continue at their current rate, they will break Chelsea’s 2004-05 record of 15 goals conceded in a Premier League campaign.

Rock solid: Gabriel and William Saliba have created an imposing partnership in the Arsenal defence

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“It’s a team effort,” said goalkeeper David Raya. “Everyone wants to intercept that ball before it reaches the halfway line.”

That mentality is clear to see when you watch Arsenal in action.

Gabriel opened the scoring against Atletico, but his biggest celebration came minutes after the goal. The defender blocked a shot and turned to the crowd, punching the air and roaring in delight.

In 25 per cent of their games this season, Arsenal’s opponents have failed to muster a single shot on target.

“The mentality is crucial,” said midfielder Mikel Merino. “You have to love to defend. Sometimes in different teams the main focus is to score, to make a beautiful pass and to enjoy the highlights. But if you want to be a champion, you need to be an all-round team.”

A big reason for Arsenal’s defensive success is continuity in the heart of the back four.

Tuesday was the 125th game that centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba have played together in all competitions, and they have created an imposing partnership.

Alongside them, Riccardo Calafiori is showing why Arsenal paid more than £40million for him, bouncing back from an injury-hit first season, and Jurrien Timber is in the form of his life, establishing himself as the best right-back in the Premier League.

You shall not pass: Arteta’s Arsenal have conceded just three goals in their first 12 matches, the fewest at this stage in the club’s 138-year history

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal’s “second-choice” defence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White would start for most sides.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Arsenal have conceded the fewest league goals per game of any side in Europe’s five major leagues.

Their defensive performances have gone up this year, however, and the arrival of two new faces has helped.

Martin Zubimendi has excelled in front of the defence, allowing Arsenal to dominate possession. In the Premier League, Elliot Anderson is the only midfielder to have completed more passes.

And then there is the addition to the coaching staff of former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Gabriel Heinze, who has helped establish a new-found doggedness in defence.

“Gabriel has added something different, that willingness to win,” said Arteta. “We’ve seen that through his career, that experience to win and to elevate somebody’s level, ambition and drive to the highest limit. He’s extraordinary at that.”

The irony is that Arsenal’s remarkable defensive performances are coming after a summer when they spent big on their attack.

Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres arrived for a combined fee of more than £150million - and to great excitement, too.

Shirt sales for Gyokeres broke previous records at Arsenal, and a delay due to demand led to the club sending fans special-edition scarves.

Gyokeres was hailed as the man to get Arsenal over the line, and he will certainly play a part.

But, as Sir Alex said, it’s defence that wins you titles - and Arsenal have the best around.