Is Arsenal’s defense the best in the world right now? The numbers suggest so, and they’re nothing short of astonishing.
After 12 matches across all competitions this season, the Gunners have scored 25 goals, conceded just 3, and kept an incredible 9 clean sheets. What’s even more jaw-dropping is that Arsenal’s defenders have outscored their opponents, netting 5 goals compared to just 3 conceded. That’s the fewest goals allowed by any club across Europe’s top five leagues, a testament to the defensive discipline and attacking drive that Mikel Arteta has carefully engineered.
And that’s not just a quirky stat; it’s a statement of intent. This Arsenal side doesn’t just defend; they dominate.
Sixteen of Arsenal’s 25 goals this season have come directly or indirectly from the defenders.
Here’s how the numbers stack up:
⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️ — Jurrien Timber
⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️ — Gabriel Magalhães
⚽️🅰️🅰️ — Riccardo Calafiori
🅰️🅰️ — Myles Lewis-Skelly
🅰️ — William Saliba
The Dutch powerhouse Jurrien Timber has been “bossing the right-back side,” dictating play and shutting down attacks with ease. His return from injury has brought a sense of calm and confidence to Arsenal’s backline. Ben White, now regaining minutes after a long spell out, is also starting to look sharp again, adding even more stability and threat on that flank.
Meanwhile, new signing Riccardo Calafiori and young prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly are “going bar for bar,” matching each other’s contributions both offensively and defensively. Calafiori, in particular, has blended seamlessly into Arteta’s system, offering technical quality and composure in tight spaces. And as Mikel said “He Bring Chaos”
Then there’s Cristhian Mosquera, described as “a joy to watch, very composed on the ball, with quality short and long passing ability and impressive defensive capabilities.” His performances have stood out even in the absence of core centre-backs Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, who are often regarded as the heartbeat of Arsenal’s defensive structure.
And just when you think the backline couldn’t get any stronger, there’s a warning: The only person to watch out for is Piero Hincapié who is also good busting forward while also great defensively.
With Hincapié pushing for a place and everyone else performing at elite levels, Arsenal’s defence has become more than just a shield, it’s a weapon.
In an era where most teams rely on attacking flair to win games, Arsenal’s defenders are proving that you can build dominance from the back, and even outscore your opponents while doing it.
The question now is no longer if Arsenal have the best defence in the world. It’s how far this unstoppable backline can take them this season.
