Arsenal have made an exceptional start to the 2025/26 Premier League season. So far, nine games in, they’ve conceded just three goals, kept six clean sheets, and scored the second-most goals in the league. Meanwhile, as rivals stumble, Mikel Arteta’s side looks more complete than ever. Ultimately, much of that success has come from their defensive dominance.
Arsenal Defence Built on Control
Embed from Getty ImagesNo team in England can match the Gunners’ defensive record. In fact, they’ve allowed just one shot on target across their last three games.
Clearly, this isn’t luck, it’s structure. Arsenal’s press and positional discipline have consistently suffocated opponents, forcing them wide and starving them of clear chances. At the same time, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães provide calm control, anchoring a team that now defends like champions rather than challengers.
Their six clean sheets lead the league. Moreover, they’ve proven their resilience away from home, winning at Old Trafford and St James’ Park. Thus, Arsenal look every bit like a side built for a title run.
Set-Piece Superiority
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Arsenal’s defence has made headlines, their set pieces have become just as vital. This season, the Gunners have already scored 11 goals from set plays, more than any other Premier League side. That dominance has made their threat from corners and free kicks impossible to ignore. Furthermore, Arteta’s focus on precision and variety, guided by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, has turned dead-ball moments into one of Arsenal’s most dangerous weapons.
It’s not just about the delivery. The timing, movement, and aerial threat make Arsenal unpredictable. As a result, they’ve found a way to dominate games even when open play stalls.
Room for Improvement in Arsenal Attack
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Gunners are devastating from set pieces; direct, creative, and difficult to defend. Yet in open play, they can look strangely predictable. Despite sitting second in total goals scored, they rank just 17th in goals from open play.
Part of that stems from a lack of a clear goal outlet. Arsenal have had 11 different scorers this season, a sign of an attack without a consistent finisher. The wingers Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have yet to find rhythm, while new striker Viktor Gyökeres is still adapting to Arteta’s system and the demands of the league.
Consequently, the Gunner’s attacking patterns can feel rehearsed and predictable. Their set pieces are dynamic and surprising; in contrast, their open play can be formulaic. If Arteta can restore spontaneity in attack to match their structure and precision, his side will become a far more complete force.
Rivals Falter as Arsenal Rise
While Arsenal soar, their closest rivals struggle. Liverpool, the reigning champions, have lost four in a row and are slipping out of the title picture. Additionally, Manchester City have already been beaten three times and sit fifth, 6 points off the top.
This season, the Gunners aren’t chasing; they’re leading. Their defence has made them near untouchable, and their set-piece threat has replaced flair with efficiency.
If Arsenal can rediscover that attacking spark in open play, the Premier League title might not just be a target; it could be an inevitability.
Below you can watch Gary Neville’s take on Arsenal’s dominant start to the season: