The best defence….is a great defence

Arteta has instilled a love of the defensive dark arts, with the likes of Gabriel and Saliba often gesticulating wildly after dealing with a dangerous ball or situation (it can occasionally get a bit overbearing). In recognition of their stoic start to the campaign, I have decided to quickly list the five best defences in Premier League history. Can Arteta’s side ultimately crack this list?

5. Chelsea (2005/2006)- 22 goals conceded

Chelsea’s 2005/2006 defensive exploits are often overshadowed by the preceding campaign (more on that later). But there is still plenty to admire about Mourinho’s 2nd successive title-winning campaign. The Portuguese pragmatist shored up his midfield options in the summer, adding physical specimen Michael Essien to a midfield that already included the likes of Makelele and Lampard. That added cover ensured that the likes of Terry and Carvalho had precious little to do. Chelsea started the season with six straight clean sheets, winning 17 of their first 19 games. In fact, they had effectively won the title in February and took their collective foot off the gas in the run-in, meaning that their final total of 22 goals conceded was probably a little inflated. Still, 20 clean sheets is not bad going.

4. Liverpool (2018/2019)- 22 goals conceded

Jurgen Klopp’s 2018/2019 Liverpool side must be one of the unluckiest sides in Premier League history. Can you imagine how many titles Klopp would have won had he not arrived slap-bang in the middle of Guardiola’s Man City revolution? The January 2018 signings of Alisson and Van Djik would go on to have a transformative effect on the Merseyside giants, propelling them to several years of high-level competitiveness. Alisson won the 2018/2019 Golden Glove by virtue of keeping 21 clean sheets. Liverpool conceded one less goal than City’s 23 but still finished an agonizing one point behind with 97 (the 2nd closet runner-up finish of all time after that 2012 Agueroooooo moment). Liverpool would find the ultimate solace in Europe, beating Spurs to claim the Champions League title.

3. Manchester United (2007/2008)- 22 goals conceded

People like to wax lyrical about United 1998/1999 treble winning campaign. That side relied on plenty of grit and- let’s be honest- good old-fashioned luck to get over the line. The 2007/2008 side was undoubtedly the finest of Ferguson’s managerial reign. The front-three of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez terrorized defences and received plenty of plaudits. But we mustn’t forget that this was also the most defensively stoic side of Ferguson’s long tenure, conceding just 22 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets. Wes Brown has his best season at right-back while Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra continued their form from the 06/07 title -winning campaign. They would set a Premier League record 13 consecutive clean sheets the following season but would curiously still concede two more goals overall.

2. Arsenal (1998/1999)- 17 goals conceded

Fresh off winning a league-cup double the previous season, Arsene Wenger’s side would go on to concede 17 goals in the 1998/1999 campaign. They kept 22 clean sheets but also only managed to score a relatively low 59 goals. They were involved in seven dour 0-0 draws while Man United were at their freewheeling, Fergie-inspired best. Still, you can’t deny the defensive rigidity of this side. Suave Frenchman Arsene Wenger built on what came before him, keeping George Graham’s managerial spirit alive with performances befitting of the old ‘boring, boring Arsenal’ chants. The back five of Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Keown and Winterburn were as safe a bulwark as you were likely to get. Still, Arsenal fell agonizingly short, finishing a point behind United while falling to the Red Devils in that Giggs-inspired FA Cup semifinal comeback.

1. Chelsea (2004/2005)- 15 goals conceded

But there can be only one. Chelsea’s 2004/2005 title-winning run was built on one of the most impervious defences in European history. In fact, Mounriho’s side share the joint-best defensive record for a single season across the main European leagues (AC Milan also conceded 15 goals in their 93/94). Sharing this record with an Italian side from that era tells you everything you need to know. Jose Mouirnho’s first season in charge of Chelsea was a defining moment in the trajectory of the Premier League, breaking the long hegemony of Man United and Arsenal. Roman Abramovich came in with a financial wrecking ball, changing the landscape of British football forever. Mourinho’s charismatic persona masked a deeply pragmatic footballing ethos that would become parodic in latter years. The likes of Terry, Gallas and Carvalho helped power Chelsea to a Premier League record 25 clean sheets. They conceded just one goal in their first eight games and would keep ten clean sheets between late December to March.