ARSENAL’S title charge last season was based on solid defensive foundations.
Between the first-choice back four of the 2023/24 campaign – Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko – they missed just 14 Premier League games.
Arsenal managed to keep a consistent and injury-free back four last season
Arsenal managed to keep a consistent and injury-free back four last seasonCredit: Getty
Riccardo Calafiori is one that has struggled with injuries this term
Riccardo Calafiori is one that has struggled with injuries this termCredit: Alamy
White made 37 appearances. Gabriel made 36. Zinchenko had some injury issues but still managed 27, while Saliba played every minute of every game.
Yes, their attack was pivotal – scoring 91 goals, a club record across a 38-game season.
But they also produced one of their best defensive displays since the Invincibles, conceding 29 – only three more than that historic title-winning side of 2003/04.
Ultimately, it brought them mightily close to the Prem crown – taking Manchester City all the way to the final day back in May but falling short by just two points.
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Seven months on, and Mikel Arteta’s Gunners find themselves on the outskirts of this title race, six points off leaders Liverpool who have a game in hand heading into the festive period.
And once again, we can look to the defence for answers, where a lack of consistency is hurting them in the Prem.
Due to another bout of injuries in an injury-hampered season so far – missing Gabriel, Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori last weekend – Arteta was forced, not for the first time, to put out a makeshift back line in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Thomas Partey, Saliba, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber was Arsenal’s NINTH different back four combination already this campaign.
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It is understood that Arteta’s first-choice back line this term is Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori, but that quartet has started together just FOUR times so far – winning three and drawing one.
The most games on the spin Arsenal have used the same backline is just THREE, between game week two and four with White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber – winning twice and drawing once.
In total, Arsenal have had the same backline for back-to-back games on just THREE occasions, unbeaten when they do so (played seven, won five, drawn two).
Arsenal vs Fulham: Comprehensive Player Ratings (1)
Between game week six and game week 12, Arteta put out SEVEN different combos in a row, winning just three times (drawn two, lost two).
All of this has had an impact, even if only slightly.
Last season at this stage, Arsenal had conceded 14 goals and produced six clean sheets.
That came about through naming the same back four for six successive game weeks, winning four and drawing twice in that time.
This time around, they have let in 15 goals and notched five clean sheets. Given the disruption, it is perhaps impressive that the stats are almost identical.
But the big difference comes from results.
After 15 games in 23/24, Arsenal had won 11, drawn three and lost once, compared to this term where they have won eight, drawn five and lost two.
Kai Havertz is Arsenal's top goalscorer
Kai Havertz is Arsenal's top goalscorer
Arsenal concede more shots on their own goal per game than they take on the opposition's
Arsenal concede more shots on their own goal per game than they take on the opposition's
Four of those draws have seen Arsenal throw away points from winning positions against Chelsea, Liverpool, Brighton and Man City – spending most of the latter two games down to 10 men.
And within those four results, there were three different backlines on show.
There have been some positives. The successful pairing of Saliba and Gabriel has started 12 of 15 games, but the constant change around them has taken its toll.
It is chalk and cheese when compared to Liverpool – who have used six different back lines.
But the Reds’ first-choice option of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konata and Andy Robertson has started eight of their opening 14 games.
In their opening 10 outings, that same back four started seven times (winning eight, drawing one and losing one).
Trent started the first 11 games on the spin, missing just two. Van Dijk has started every game. Konate has started 11 of the first 14.
Their longest run of constant changes to the backline is six, between game week nine and game week 14 (winning four and drawing two).
But within that period, Trent, Van Dijk and Robertson were a constant presence.
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Not for the first time this season, Arteta’s biggest task is clearing the medical room and keeping it that way.
Consistency is vital if they are to chase down another title charge.
Arsenal ratings vs Fulham
ARSENAL lost the chance to go four points behind leaders Liverpool after Fulham held Mikel Arteta's side to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
See how the players rated...
David Raya - 6
Couldn't do much about his one-on-one with Jimenez and was rarely threatened after that.
Thomas Partey - 5
Started from right-back but it quickly became clear just how missed the Ghanaian’s presence was in midfield.
Often looked disjointed and uncomfortable in carrying out his defensive duties up against the explosive Adama Traore.
William Saliba - 6
Brought his side level with a tap in from six yards from another profitable Arsenal corner. It's two goals in one week for the Frenchman.
Jakub Kiwior - 4
Terrible afternoon filling into Gabriel's big shoes as his performance showed why the Pole is only used in emergency situations.
Easily outmanoeuvred by Raul Jimenez's inside run for the Fulham No.9's sleek low finish opener inside 11 minutes.
Jurrien Timber - 5
Forced to move into left-back but undoubtedly a greater influence on the right side of defence.
Dutchman was quiet by his standards and was dragged narrow for Jimenez’s opener.
Martin Odegaard - 6
Grew into the game as Fulham sat back and fed Saka with some intricate through balls, but nothing came off.
Replaced by 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri with 10 minutes remaining when Arsenal were chasing a winner.
Jorginho - 6
Largely did his job in nullifying Emile Smith Rowe before the Arsenal youth academy star was replaced inside 60 minutes.
But some wayward long balls saw a frustrated Arteta turn away in the opening half.
Declan Rice - 6
Tasked with bailing out the makeshift left hand side of Timber and Kiwior out and again lethal from corners. Didn't stop running and linked up well with Saka and Odegaard.
Booked for a professional foul in the dying embers.
Bukayo Saka - 7
Every time you looked at the TV, Saka was crossing. Great corners from the right hand side.
He thought he'd won it for Arsenal in the 87th minute, but his back post header was ruled out for Martinelli's offside in the build up.
Leandro Trossard - 6
Handed a shock start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli but it failed to come off.
More of a threat in the second-half before he looked disappointed to be subbed off for Martinelli on the hour mark.
Kai Havertz - 5
It was his header from Rice’s corner that Saliba prodded home to put Arsenal on level terms. Didn't have much of a sniff other than that.
Out-duelled by Diop for much of the first half and rarely tested former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in his 73 minute appearance.