Arsenal’s defense: Is the Gunners’ record the best in the history of the English Premier League?

There is fierce competition for this crown, but statistically speaking, Arsenal are ahead.

Nearly a third of the way through the campaign, they are conceding 0.45 goals per game. If they maintain this rate they will concede 17 goals in 38 matches.

The Chelsea team, which won the title in the 2004-2005 season, holds the record with 15 goals, while the Arsenal team in the 1998-1999 season conceded 17 goals, but finished the tournament without any title.

The next strongest defense is Manchester United in 2007-08 and Liverpool in 2018-19, both of whom have conceded 22 goals.

There is still a long way to go for Arsenal, but if the backline of Jurrian Temper, Willem Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ricardo Calafiore – with goalkeeper David Raya behind them – remains fit and strong, they will have every chance to be talked about among this quartet.

This is a big deal, with fears that Gabriel could be sidelined until January after sustaining the injury while on duty with Brazil, while Italy international Calafiore also has an issue that needs assessment.

The Gunners also have the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues this season, with the fewest goals conceded, the fewest shots on target, and the most clean sheets.

They have allowed just 21 shots on target in the Premier League this season, including three in their last five games. The average shots on target of 1.9 per game is the lowest since Opta’s records began in the 2003-04 season.

You have to go back to September and October 1987, the last time Arsenal broke the season record of four consecutive league games without conceding a goal.

This came under coach George Graham in an era that inspired the famous “1-0 to Arsenal” chant to sing the praises of a team with the kind of defensive resilience echoed by Arteta’s men.

Through Dan Ballard and Brian Proby’s stoppage-time equaliser, Sunderland were denied the chance to beat Manchester United’s Premier League record of 14 consecutive clean sheets, set in the 2008-09 season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are the record holders for clean sheets in the Premier League era in all competitions, having gone 11 consecutive matches without conceding under Rafael Benitez in 2005-06.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, who was part of the club’s 1998-99 squad, wrote in his BBC Sports column: “We can see with our own eyes how good the defence is.

“The only thing missing on their resume is awards.

“If they can become champions, they will reach the elite level alongside these previous title-winning teams.”