Arsenal is challenging for the Premier League title once again, with their defence a clear improvement on last season, and they’re highlighted as one of the world’s best.
Jamie Carragher feels Arsenal are the finest defensive team in the world as they continue to compete for the Premier League title.
They defeated Bournemouth on Saturday, keeping another clean sheet to put pressure on Manchester City. By this time last year, the Gunners had fallen behind in the title chase, with their backline repeatedly penetrated, ending in a disappointing season finale.
This year, they have made significant progress in that area and appear to be on track to win all of City’s remaining games if they are to maintain their title. William Saliba has been fit, which has made a significant impact, while Declan Rice has been an imposing presence at the base of midfield.
Arsenal has the greatest defensive record in England’s premier league, surrendering less goals than any other side and keeping more clean sheets. Mikel Arteta’s team has only allowed twice in four meetings against City and Liverpool, and Carragher believes they are among the finest around.
He told Sky Sports: “I believe Arsenal is as good defensively as anyone in Europe and probably the world right now, and they are making it difficult for teams.” They have obviously improved in 2024, compared to the first half of the season. The most compelling argument for me is Kai Havertz’s position.
“Kai Havertz has been mocked a little bit at the start of the season and when he came in you were not quite short where he fits in. To be honest I have never been sure what his position is, I think finally he is a centre-forward. I am not going to say he is unbelievable goalscorer because he’s not, but he’s a centre-forward and he is helping Arsenal do what they are doing right now which is being so strong defensively and that is what gives them a great chance of them winning the Premier League.”
Rice departed West Ham for the Emirates in the summer in a deal for more than £100 million. His previous club lost five goals in a crushing defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, and David Moyes blamed their defensive woes on the midfielder’s absence.
He commented on their problems: “Declan Rice. You have the finest midfield player in the country, shielding, ensuring that you restrict maybe 50% of the assaults and situations, and when you do, you become a lot superior defensive team.”
Arteta recently told TNT Sports that he felt the best defensive side would significantly increase their chances of winning the league. “I think if you want to win championships, your defence has to be extremely consistent and very difficult to beat,” he said. “We have that and it’s great to have the players, how they live their defensive phase and the contribution that they put in every ball to make it really difficult for the opponent.”
