Sir Alex Ferguson’s assertion that “Assault wins you video games, defence wins you titles” turns into clear when assessing the very best defensive data in Premier League historical past.
Arsenal’s 2025-26 crew are at present on track to change into the meanest Premier League defence in historical past, with simply three targets conceded in 10 matches.
We’ve ranked the seven tightest defences in Premier League historical past in descending order. Be aware: groups with the identical variety of targets conceded are separated by aim distinction.
7. Manchester United (2008-09, 24 targets)
The third of three successive league titles within the late 2000s, United’s success in 2008-09 was constructed on a watertight defence.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic cemented their standing as arguably the Premier League’s finest ever centre-back partnership, whereas Edwin van der Sar saved 14 clear sheets in a row between November and February.
That’s nonetheless an English top-flight report. Unsurprisingly.
6. Manchester Metropolis (2018-19, 23 targets)
Metropolis accomplished a home treble within the 2018-19 season, ending one level away from Liverpool in a marathon title race.
Guardiola’s aspect completed on 98 factors, scoring 95 and conceding solely 23, with Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte as the popular partnership on the again.
Metropolis gained their final 14 league matches to retain their title, beating off a Liverpool crew who gained their final 10 in soccer’s closest imitation of the Large Prepare Staring Competitors.
5. Chelsea (2005-06, 22 targets)
Chelsea’s 2004-05 defence is rightly celebrated as the very best in Premier League historical past and their prowess prolonged into the next marketing campaign.
Not content material with resting on his laurels, Jose Mourinho added the metal of Michael Essien to midfield alongside Claude Makelele.
John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and William Gallas have been all current and proper, with Petr Cech in aim to bail them out if wanted.
Whereas Chelsea misplaced 4 extra matches in 2005-06, and conceded seven extra targets, they retained their title with a stretch and a yawn aided by 20 clear sheets.
4. Manchester United (2007-08, 22 targets)
United’s Premier League-winning aspect of 2007-08 is normally remembered for the attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
However the defence was top-notch as nicely; the aforementioned Ferdinand and Vidic partnership, Edwin van der Sar’s calm authority in aim, the power of Patrice Evra and the tenacity of Wes Brown, who deputised for the injured Gary Neville at right-back.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s crew pipped Chelsea to the title and beat them within the Champions League closing for good measure.
3. Liverpool (2018-19, 22 targets)
Ninety-seven factors, 30 wins, 87 targets scored and 22 targets conceded. That Liverpool didn’t win the league in 2019 was each a historic anomaly and a tragedy.
Boosted by the signing of Alisson, and the arrival of Virgil van Dijk six months beforehand, Klopp’s crew have been extremely exhausting to attain towards.
Van Dijk was typically partnered by Joel Matip, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson chipped in with common assists.
Liverpool solely misplaced one league sport in 2018-19, a ding-dong match away at Manchester Metropolis. Sadly, it value them the title.
2. Arsenal (1998-99, 17 targets)
Regardless of conceding solely 17 targets within the 1998-99 season, Arsenal didn’t win the Premier League title, ending a degree behind treble-winning Manchester United.
There was nothing mistaken with a rearguard containing Tony Adams, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Martin Keown, Steve Bould and David Seaman.
However Arsenal solely scored 59 targets in comparison with United’s 80, with their lack of firepower leading to a trophyless season.
1. Chelsea (2004-05, 15 targets)
Will Arsenal’s 2025-26 classic handle to beat Chelsea’s unbelievable 15 targets conceded in 2004-05? It’s unlikely.
The way in which it’s even being mentioned as a chance is a large credit score to Mikel Arteta and his crew, because the rearguard of Terry, Cech and Carvalho and mates is a byword for defensive excellence.
Your subsequent problem is to title each goalscorer towards Chelsea that 12 months. Good luck…
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