Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal’s remarkable tactical evolution under Mikel Arteta continues to attract attention across Europe, with new data highlighting just how dominant the Gunners have become on both sides of the pitch.
According to figures circulating on social media and derived from Opta data, Arsenal currently operate with the highest defensive line in the Premier League, averaging 51.98 metres from their own goal while simultaneously facing the deepest defensive lines from opponents, averaging 38.88 metres.
The north London side have also recorded 320 touches inside the opposition box, the most of any team in England’s top flight this season.
READ MORE: Opta reveals new record held only by Arsenal in English football history
Although Opta has not publicly released a full breakdown of these metrics, the data aligns closely with broader analytical trends that underline Arsenal’s control of territory and possession.
This is what the media won’t show you about Arsenal this season.
Highest defensive line in the league by a country mile. Teams simply don’t come out to play football against them (including Pep)
And the few teams that actually tried to go toe-to-toe with them held 3, 4 goals. pic.twitter.com/VvAeg2WV6U
— The Football Era (@FootballEra_) October 29, 2025
Reports from The Analyst confirm that Arteta’s team have enjoyed more touches in the opposition box than any other side in the Premier League, with over 249 such actions recorded in early October “at least 43 more than their nearest rival.”
This aggressive territorial approach has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s rise to the top of the league table. The Gunners have conceded just three goals in nine matches, the best defensive record in England, while maintaining fluidity in attack through the creative efforts of Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, and Viktor Gyokeres.
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Arteta’s side press high, defend with bravery, and pin opponents deep into their own half, a tactic designed to suffocate counter-attacks while maximising sustained pressure in the final third.
This structure has made Arsenal one of the most difficult teams to break down, as reflected by their six consecutive clean sheets across all competitions in October.
Arsenal’s numbers illustrate a balance few sides in Europe can replicate: a defensive unit positioned higher up the pitch than any rival, coupled with relentless attacking presence in the box. It’s a strategy reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at their peak but with an Arsenal identity firmly stamped on it.
As the data continues to affirm what many fans already see on the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s men are not just leading the Premier League, they are redefining what modern dominance looks like in English football.
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