Arsenal has comprehensive attack and defense, 4 points more than Bournemouth
Arsenal have lost just 1 game, kept 6 clean sheets after 9 rounds, conceded 3. 69% of goals from dead balls (11). Top xGA 5.3, 19 shots on target, 4 points more than Bournemouth.
Arsenal are top of the 2025/26 Premier League thanks to a rare balance at both ends of the pitch: they have lost just one game, kept six clean sheets after nine games and are four points ahead of Bournemouth. Under Mikel Arteta, they have controlled their defensive risks and made the most of dead balls to solve deadlocks.
Turning point from the balance of offense and defense
Last season, Arsenal dropped 10 points against Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace. This season, they have won all four of those opponents – a sign of a more mature team in terms of game management and title-winning mentality.
Defense sets new standard in Premier League
Arsenal are leading the league in key indicators: 6 clean sheets/9 rounds, only 3 goals conceded, 72 shots faced (lowest in the league), only 19 shots on target and xGA 5.3. The central defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba create a nearly impenetrable shield. When Saliba has physical problems, 21-year-old rookie Cristhian Mosquera immediately replaces him, contributing to maintaining a streak of 385 minutes without conceding a goal - a testament to the depth and continuity of the system.
Recruit depth and ability to maintain operating standards
The £250m summer transfer window has given Arteta plenty of options without compromising on quality. As a result, despite injuries, Arsenal have maintained a steady rhythm of play – a marked difference from previous seasons at the Emirates.
Different attack thanks to dead ball
If defence is the foundation, dead balls are the lever. 69% of Arsenal’s goals this season have come from corners or free kicks – a total of 11, the most in the league and two more than Chelsea. With passers like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, Arsenal are constantly creating quality opportunities in the box, unlocking the game when opponents close in on space.
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha commented: “Arsenal are jokingly called 'Set-piece FC', but they are the team that creates the most shots, concedes the fewest goals and deserve to be top.”
Control the game and the candidate's mentality
Theo Walcott asserted: “Arsenal can do anything. Opponents fear them because they are always in control of the game, and now clean sheets have become the norm.” These statements reflect reality: Arsenal are winning in many ways – from their tight defensive organisation to their ability to use set pieces to turn the game around.
Tactical analysis through data
Six clean sheets and an xGA of 5.3 point to two layers of protection: limiting the number of opposition shots (72 faced) and suppressing the quality of finishing (just 19 on target). The Gabriel-Saliba duo maintain structure, while Mosquera’s availability allows Arteta to maintain defensive standards even when changing personnel. Up front, the dead ball efficiency (11 goals, 69%) provides a steady stream of goals, reducing the gap between play and score.
Important statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Games played | 9 |
| Lose | 1 |
| Clean sheet | 6 |
| Conceded goal | 3 |
| Face shot | 72 |
| Shot on target must receive | 19 |
| xGA | 5.3 |
| Table from dead ball | 11 (69%) |
Internal reaction
Coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged the progress but maintained high standards: “We are doing very well, but that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t keep going. There is still a lot to improve.”
Impact on the championship race
With a top position and a 4-point gap over Bournemouth, Arsenal are positioning themselves as the most serious candidates. Stability, bravery in the face of familiar obstacles (all wins against Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace) and squad depth from the summer transfer window are factors that can make a difference in the long run.
As many of its rivals have declined, Arsenal's winning model – disciplined defence, effective dead ball control, maintaining a consistent structure despite substitutions – is the benchmark for the Premier League this season.
