Arsenal's success this season has been built upon their rock-solid defence and Mikel Arteta will be hoping the Sir Alex Ferguson's theory and an ex-Manchester United player can lead them to the title
Sir Alex Ferguson famously said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.” If that was true then Arsenal would have been champions in each of the last two seasons.
Mikel Arteta has built a fearsome defence which conceded the least number of goals - 29 and 34 - in 2023/24 and 2024/25, but finished second both times. The difference this time - or at least what Arteta is hoping - is Arsenal’s determination to take their defending to a whole new level and turn it into an art form.
Arsenal won titles under George Graham because of their famous back four. The same defenders were the rock upon which Arsene Wenger built his first Double-winning side in 1998. Lee Dixon, part of those teams, says the “similarities” between then and now are obvious.
After 11 games, Arsenal have conceded just five goals - two of those in their last game, a 2-2 draw at Sunderland - and that is undoubtedly the foundation upon which Arteta believes he can win the title this season.
It is no coincidence that Arteta added Gabriel Heinze to his backroom staff. The former Manchester United defender - who knows Arteta from their time together at Paris Saint-Germain - has added a new intense dimension to coaching sessions.
Heinze is passionate, driven and, having been a left sided defender himself, it is interesting to note that a more experienced and natural defender in Riccardo Calafiori has been championed at left-back over Myles Lewis-Skelly this season.
That is one key difference. The other is the structure of the team. Martin Zubimendi has been outstanding. His presence in midfield gives protection and also highlights that defending is not just about the back four.
Now comes another test. Arsenal’s first choice back four is obvious. Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori. Lewis-Skelly, a teenager still working his way up, comes in for the odd Champions League game. Cristhian Mosquera has been excellent.
But Gabriel is facing an injury lay-off and that could be a chance for new boy Piero Hincapié. But Arteta’s vision should mean that whoever comes in - be it Hincapie or Mosquera - they understand the system. That is because they are so well drilled.
Arsenal legend Dixon, who won four titles during a glittering 14 years at the club, speaking via OLBG, says this squad reminds him of his days alongside Steve Bould, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn. And not forgetting Martin Keown.
Dixon said: “Yeah, I do see similarities. The desire and the willingness to do the hard yards and enjoy, because defending over the years has been kind of looked upon as the dark arts and the kind of ugly side of football and you know, it's hard work.
“I'm not saying that playing in midfield or up front isn’t hard work, it's different. You're shifting your position all the time. You've got to enjoy that. You've got to enjoy the process of being in a team within a team. And that's the back four.
“We always looked at it as this is our team and when we get it and we give it to you, that is your job now. Wrighty, go and score us a goal. Dennis, go and do some magic.
“It is a team effort. You defend from the front and the back line is kind of like the last resort. But this team, this back four loves that process. And I think that's very similar to how we were.
“I would suggest that individually, they're more athletic than we were based on the modern game. The modern games, they're fitter, they play on better pitches, the game's quicker.”
Arsenal spent huge money in the summer on attacking players: Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. But they also made the Premier League’s meanest defence even stronger by bringing in the likes of Hincapie and Mosquera.
Arteta is a coach who is all about control. One leading football figure described Arsenal as the best coached team in the Premier League.
This year, Arsenal will believe if they do concede the fewest goals then they will have the forward talent - and much-needed balance between attack and defence - to prove Fergie right after all.