The one big advantage Arsenal have over Man City in the title race | OneFootball

Gunners have ‘superpower’ that could be difference in run-in

Wind the clock back to November and Arsenal were eyeing Premier League history.

A 2-0 win over Burnley meant that after ten matches, the Gunners had conceded just three goals.

Chelsea's record of only 15 goals conceded across a league season has stood since then 2004-05 campaign and it appeared to be in genuine danger.

That danger has now passed, Arsenal having conceded 17 goals in the league so far with 13 matches still to play.

However, Mikel Arteta's remarkable defensive machine continues to chug on and a different landmark is in the club's sights.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have only conceded 17 goals in 25 Premier League matches this season

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Manchester United hold the record for the most clean sheets kept by a Premier League side across all competitions. In the 2008-09 season, United played 66 matches and kept clean sheets in 36 of them.

After keeping out Sunderland on Saturday, Arsenal now sit at 21 clean sheets in 39 games.

The Gunners have 13 more Premier League matches to play, a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, and at least three more games across the Champions League and FA Cup.

If Arsenal were to make it to the final in all the cup competitions, they would play 65 matches this season.

At most, then, Arsenal have another 26 matches in which to keep 16 clean sheets if they are to break United's long-standing record.

You would not back against this Arsenal side doing so, with Arteta taking an already formidable defence to new heights.

The Gunners conceded an average of 8.5 shots per game in the league in the 2023-24 season and that figure rose to 9.5 last term.

Arsenal have kept 21 clean sheets in 39 games in all competitions this season

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This season, Arsenal are allowing the opposition only 7.6 shots per game. They are also conceding only 0.68 goals a match, well down on the last two seasons.

The xG also tells a clear story. Stats from WhoScored show Arsenal's expected goals against this season stands at a total of 19.42 in the league. City are the next best side on those metrics but their tally is right up at 31.91 xGa.

Pep Guardiola's side beat Liverpool at Anfield in dramatic fashion on Sunday to potentially breathe life into their title bid.

However, it is a defensive base that so often wins titles and Arsenal are far more comfortable in controlling matches and minimising the jeopardy.

In a recent interview, Declan Rice put those defensive improvements down in part to the summer arrival of Gabriel Heinze as one of Arteta's coaches.

“Heinze has come in this year, defensive coach, he’s been unbelievable," Rice said. "Everyone is so well drilled.”

The Argentine is a hugely energetic and positive character being the scenes. He has been key in working one-on-one with players on their defensive drills.

Heinze also has the experience of winning a Premier League title during his time at Manchester United, a factor that has become more and more significant as he helps the squad cope with the pressure on them.

Gabriel Heinze has been a key additions to Arteta’s coaching team

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"A different experience because when you have lived something you can talk and the detail there is incredible," Arteta said of the messages Heinze has been able to impart.

"The things that have been helpful, the things that have not been so helpful and try to support the players. He's got a big role in that."

Changes off the pitch have brought improvements on it. A key Arsenal strength has become a superpower.

If it holds up until the end of May, the Gunners will surely claim the silverware they so desperately crave, and perhaps a lesser-known record to go with it.