Manchester United's goals against Arsenal close the door on a historic record | OneFootball

Arsenal’s defensive dream ends at the Emirates

Manchester United's goals against Arsenal close the door on a historic record

Arsenal conceded their 16th Premier League goal of the season during the match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s defensive run takes a setback

Arsenal’s strong defensive season suffered key blow after they conceded second goal against Man United in their Premier League meeting at the Emirates Stadium in round 23.

The Gunners widely seen as the best defensive side in the league this campaign allowed two goals on home soil.

That brought their total goals conceded in the league this season to 16 ending hopes of matching one of the Premier League’s most famous defensive records.

Record chase ends after United double

Arsenal had been closing in on the historic mark set by Chelsea in the 2004 /05 season when the Blues won the title while conceding only 15 goal across 38 match.

In the match against Manchester United, Arsenal first gave up goal after costly defensive mistake before conceding again later in the game.

The second strike officially removed their chance of equaling or breaking Chelsea’s long standing record.

Chelsea achieved that milestone under Jose Mourinho in his first season in charge finishing with 95 point scoring 75 goal losing only once and building one of the most solid defenses English football has ever seen.

That Chelsea team led by defenders like John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho became known for turning defensive strength into winning identity.

Arsenal who finished second that season, have now come close to that standard again after two decade.

For long periods this year, Mikel Arteta’s side looked capable of writing new chapter in Premier League history through organization, pressing and consistency at the back.

However football often depends on small moments and the goals conceded against United proved costly in the context of record breaking ambitions.

Arsenal still among Europe’s strongest defenses

Even though the record is now out of reach, Arsenal’s defensive numbers remain impressive.

Conceding only 16 goal at this stage of the campaign reflects mature project under Mikel Arteta, with the team showing control, structure and balance in key areas.

The setback does not erase the progress Arsenal have made but it highlights how difficult it is to surpass the defensive standard set by Mourinho’s Chelsea.