Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years largely on the back of an exceptional defence and prolific set-piece work, according to ESPN. The article argues that those two elements under manager Mikel Arteta were the decisive difference across a 38-game season.
The Gunners have conceded 26 goals with one game remaining, a total that is tied for the 11th-fewest in Premier League history, according to ESPN. Teams that allowed 26 or fewer goals have finished no lower than third, posted a worst goal differential of plus-32 and recorded a worst point total of 77.
For historical context, the 1998-99 Arsenal side conceded 17 goals, drew 12 matches, accumulated 78 points and finished second, the article notes. That comparison highlights how rare such low goals-against totals are and how they do not automatically translate into runaway title-winning point totals.
By expected goals allowed, Arsenal’s performance stands out even more. ESPN reports an xG allowed mark of 27 and says the gap between Arsenal in first and Manchester City in second is larger than the gap between City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who rank among the league’s weakest defenses. The piece frames the achievement as occurring in the most competitive modern Premier League season.
The article also cites analytical perspective from Arsenal blogger Scott Willis showing the impact of pairing a top defence with an average attack: that combination would yield a plus-36 goal differential, whereas the reverse — a best-ever attack with an average defence — would produce a plus-57 margin. ESPN adds that, since 2010, only one club with at least 10 Champions League appearances allowed fewer goals per game than Arsenal have this season.
