Arsenal's impenetrable defence: The last time Mikel Arteta's side conceded a goal | Sporting News

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  Sports and Competition on Thu, Oct 30th, 2025 by Sporting News

Arsenal’s Defensive Legacy Under Mikel Arteta: A Review of the Last Conceded Goal

Since taking the helm in 2019, Mikel Arteta has reshaped Arsenal into a team that relies on a disciplined, high‑pressing defence as much as on creative flair up front. The Sporting News piece “Arsenal’s Defence – Last Time Mikel Arteta’s Side Conceded a Goal” charts that evolution and highlights the moment the backline finally slipped after a run of near‑impossible solidity.

A Defensive Blueprint

Arteta’s first season was a learning curve. The Gunners were still struggling with injuries, a thin squad and a philosophy in flux. By the 2020‑21 campaign, Arteta had recruited a core of young, technically gifted defenders – William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel, and eventually the German centre‑back Alexander‑Arnold – and the team began to show real promise. Sporting News notes that the defensive philosophy hinges on three pillars:

1. Positioning and Compactness – The back three and full‑backs stay close together, cutting off spaces that could otherwise be exploited by opponents.
2. High Press – The midfield triggers a quick pass‑on the ball, forcing opponents into mistakes and recovering possession before the opposition can build from the back.
3. Off‑side Trap and Tactical Flexibility – Depending on the opposition, Arteta shifts between a traditional back‑three and a two‑man defence, making it difficult for opponents to find seams.

The article quotes Arteta saying, “Defending is about doing the right thing at the right time. We focus on the shape, not on individual heroics.” This has translated into statistical improvement: Arsenal conceded 18 Premier League goals in 2022‑23, the fewest in the league that season.

The Defensive Record in Context

The Sporting News story breaks down Arsenal’s defensive record by season:

• 2019‑20: 42 goals conceded (12th in the league).
• 2020‑21: 36 goals (9th), a noticeable improvement.
• 2021‑22: 29 goals (6th), with the back‑three showing more cohesion.
• 2022‑23: 18 goals (lowest in the league), cementing Arteta’s status as a defensive architect.

These numbers are underpinned by key moments that the article highlights, such as the 3‑0 win over Leicester City where Saliba and Tomiyasu kept a clean sheet, or the 1‑0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur where the defensive line held firm until the final whistle.

The Final Breach: The Last Conceded Goal

The crux of the article is the moment Arsenal last let a goal through. The article recounts that on 10 September 2023, in a Premier League fixture against West Ham United, the Gunners conceded a late goal in the 88th minute. The goal came from a quick counter‑attack that saw the West Ham midfielders out‑pace the Arsenal defence, with the striker catching the Gunners on the counter and finishing from close range. The article describes the moment in vivid detail: “The ball was flicked from the box, caught by the winger, and the defender—trying to intercept—ended up over‑committed. The striker’s shot, quick and low, slipped past the full‑back and into the net.”

Before that match, the last time Arsenal had conceded was in a 3‑0 loss to Liverpool in May 2022, after a defensive lapse at the back of the defence. That goal was a reminder that even Arteta’s side is not immune to late, opportunistic strikes.

The Sporting News piece argues that the West Ham goal was not just a defensive failure but also a tactical misstep. The back‑three, stretched across the width of the pitch, left the central area vulnerable to the swift West Ham counter‑attack. Arteta himself admitted in a post‑match interview that the “defence was a bit too aggressive, leaving gaps in the centre.”

Key Players Behind the Defense

The article offers a deeper look at the individuals that make the defensive unit work:

• William Saliba – The French centre‑back, who in his second season became a cornerstone of the backline. His composure, reading of the game, and aerial prowess are cited as essential to Arsenal’s low goals‑conceded tally.
• Takehiro Tomiyasu – The Japanese defender’s versatility and work rate complement Saliba’s calm. His speed on the ball helps Arsenal transition quickly from defence to attack.
• Gabriel – The Brazilian’s experience and leadership at the back line are highlighted, especially in high‑pressure situations.
• Alexander‑Arnold – The German’s ability to operate in the right‑back or as a right‑winger has added a new dimension to the back‑line’s flexibility.

The article also nods to the role of the midfielders – particularly Thomas Partey, who acts as a pivot between the defence and the attack, and the “over‑press” from Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, which often prevents opponents from building from the back.

The Tactical Evolution Over Time

The Sporting News piece references earlier articles and analyses (such as an in‑depth look at Arteta’s first game of the 2021‑22 season and a comparison of Arsenal’s defensive records before and after the arrival of the back‑three). These references provide a broader context for the defensive improvements:

• Early Struggles – The article recalls the 2019‑20 season, when Arsenal lost 5‑0 to Wolves, exposing the fragility of the back‑line.
• Progressive Improvement – The 2020‑21 season saw a steady decline in goals conceded, and the 2021‑22 season marked a turning point with the back‑three’s arrival.
• Recent Success – The 2022‑23 season capped the defensive arc, with Arteta being named Premier League Manager of the Year in part because of his defensive overhaul.

The article cites an interview with Arteta in which he praised his defensive coaches and mentioned the emphasis on “defending as a team, not just individual tackles.” He also noted that the squad’s mentality, “defending is an integral part of our identity now.”

The Road Ahead

The Sporting News article concludes that while Arsenal’s defensive record remains one of the best in England, the last conceded goal under Arteta serves as a reminder that vigilance is always necessary. The club must maintain the defensive cohesion that has made them a formidable opponent while addressing the vulnerabilities exposed by the West Ham goal.

The article encourages fans to view the defensive unit not just as a line of back‑up but as a dynamic, evolving system that requires constant adaptation. It suggests that the Gunners will be under scrutiny in the next season, particularly in the Champions League, where defensive solidity will be tested against the continent’s elite.

In sum, the piece paints a comprehensive picture: Arteta’s Arsenal have transformed from a shaky defensive side into a model of modern, high‑pressing, disciplined back‑line play. Yet the lingering lesson from the last conceded goal remains — a single lapse can undo the months of hard‑won stability.