With David Raya in goal and the commanding centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, clean sheets have become a hallmark of Arsenal’s season so far.

The Gunners’ defensive strength stretches to Europe, where their back line remains unbreached after three Champions League games. That resilience will be tested again when Premier League leaders Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

“We hope that these records we are achieving bring silverware at the end and the trophies we want,” Mikel Arteta said on Friday.
“The more we can produce, the closer we get to achieving our goals. Our defensive record is very good, but we need to be consistent. It’s only the start of the season, and our aim is to keep improving.”

Arteta stressed the importance of a strong defensive foundation in winning titles.

“Teams with the best defensive records, most of the time — apart from the last three Premier League seasons — usually win the league. The stronger we are at the back, the higher our chances of success.”

Set-Piece Specialists

While Arsenal’s defence frustrates opponents, their set-piece efficiency has rewritten the record books at the other end.

The Gunners have already scored 10 goals from set plays in just eight games — the fastest any team has reached double figures from set pieces in Premier League history.

Arteta attributed their success to a deliberate focus in training.

“First of all, creating a culture and giving that part of the game the importance it deserves,” he explained.
“Football is evolving, and opponents adapt, so we have to maximise situations that happen frequently. Set pieces are very valuable, and we try to make them as effective as possible.”

Seeking Palace Revenge

Sunday’s clash carries added significance after Palace held Arsenal to a 2–2 draw in April, a result that helped Liverpool gain the upper hand in the title race.

“It’s the fourth game in a row against an opponent we dropped points to last year,” Arteta said.
“This season, we’ve been able to beat them before, and our focus is on continuing that trend.”

The match also marks a reunion for attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, who faces his former club after joining Arsenal in August for £68 million ($91.26 million). The England international famously scored the winner for Palace in last season’s FA Cup final, securing their first major trophy.

“For Ebs, it’s going to be a very special match given his history with Palace, but the focus is on the team,” Arteta added.