Petr Čech has voiced his admiration for Arsenal’s defensive strength this season, yet he doubts they’ll manage to surpass Chelsea’s long-standing record for the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League campaign. The former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper acknowledged the Gunners’ exceptional form but remained cautious about their chances of maintaining it over the course of the season.
Arsenal have begun their league journey in commanding fashion, sitting four points clear at the top of the table and maintaining a six-point lead over defending champions Liverpool. Their dominance has not only been about goals scored but about how few they’ve allowed, displaying an impressive control and discipline in defence rarely seen at such consistency.
The backbone of this dominance has been Arsenal’s watertight defence, with Mikel Arteta’s men conceding a mere three goals in their opening nine league fixtures. It’s a statement of intent from a team that has gradually developed defensive maturity under Arteta, blending tactical precision with individual brilliance at the back.
In recent seasons, Arsenal have already been among the league’s most defensively sound sides, but this year they’ve raised the bar further. The additions of Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera have strengthened their backline even more, adding both composure and depth. These signings appear to have turned a strong defence into a formidable wall.
If the Gunners keep up this extraordinary rate, their projected total for the season would sit at around 13 goals conceded—enough to shatter Chelsea’s record from the 2003/04 campaign. Back then, José Mourinho’s title-winning side, featuring John Terry and Čech himself, set a defensive standard with just 15 goals conceded over 38 matches.
Still, Čech believes Arsenal face an uphill battle to maintain such a demanding level across the entire season. He acknowledged their excellent start but reminded fans that 38 matches leave plenty of room for unpredictability. “They’re doing really well,” he admitted in a TikTok exchange with John Terry. “If they keep this up, they’ve got a chance—but you need luck too. It’s not easy to stay that solid all year.”
Reflecting on Chelsea’s achievement two decades ago, Čech noted the immense effort and unity required to pull it off. He expressed pride in their defensive record, describing it as a “crazy” feat that demanded every player to contribute selflessly. He highlighted the role of Claude Makélélé, whose presence between attack and defence held the team together, illustrating how balance and structure can win championships.
While some critics have taken aim at Arteta’s cautious approach, Čech finds it refreshing to see a modern team take pride in their defensive craft. In an era obsessed with attacking flair, he praised Arsenal’s focus on keeping clean sheets. “At the end of the day,” he said, “if you don’t concede, you only need one goal to win—and that’s exactly what Arsenal have been proving.”
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