While Liverpool’s defence is currently porous, Arsenal’s appears increasingly impenetrable.
The Gunners’ 1-0 win over Fulham was built on an eighth clean sheet in 11 matches in all competitions this season.
The only goals the league leaders have conceded have been via a 30-yard thunderbolt from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, one from unstoppable Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and a header by in-form Nick Woltemade at a raucous St James' Park. Only Haaland’s came from open play.
In comparison, Liverpool have let in 17 goals and kept only two clean sheets in their 12 fixtures.
Arsenal are not just stopping sides scoring, they are denying them as much as a sniff at goal. For the first time since November 2003, during what turned out to be their Invincibles campaign, Arteta’s team have not faced a shot on target in back-to-back league matches.
And they have given up just five big chances in eight league matches this season. To put that in context, Manchester United had five big chances to score at Anfield alone yesterday.
Remarkably, the last time they conceded more than two league goals in a game was in December 2023 at Luton Town.
Carry on like this and the likes of David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel will break Chelsea’s legendary record for the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season of just 15 in 2004-05.
Graphic showing the fewest goals conceded by teams in a Premier League season