Published: 17:00, 3 November 2025 | Updated: 17:05, 3 November 2025

As the old Sir Alex Ferguson saying goes: ‘Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.'

He was wrong, of course, but don’t tell Mikel Arteta that. Less than half of the Premier League titles in the last 30 years have been won by the side with the most miserly backline, but nearly three-quarters by the team that’s banged in the most goals.

And if Fergie were correct, Arsenal would have clinched the title in each of the last two seasons and be on course for a hat-trick - instead of desperately trying to win their first in more than two decades.

This time, though, Arteta’s brick wall might just bring glory at last. Arsenal are top of the Premier League, six points clear. 

It doesn’t matter how boring your critics say you are, or how reliant you might be on set-pieces, if you don’t concede any goals, you don’t need to score many to keeping winning games.

Mikel Arteta has built a formidable Arsenal defence that has only conceded three...