Arsenal have started the new Premier League season with a win. They have defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Emirates. In the 2023/24 season, Arsenal were the strongest team in defence. They only conceded 29 goals throughout the season. In addition, they kept 18 clean sheets. They conceded less goals than anyone else in the league and kept the most clean sheets. However, it was still not enough to make them Champions of England. This season, Arsenal are confident once again and many think they will win the league. This will be their first league title after 2004.
Arsenal were also fortunate last season. It was because their main defenders faced no injuries. However, injuries can happen anytime and kill the moment of the team. In addition, injury to the defender may result in losing the title. We are aware of the quote that attack wins you matches and defence wins you titles. So its safe to say that Gunners were fortunate last season. However, this season they are prepared to face all of the challenges. They now have a proper backup for the defenders. One former Premier League and England international spoke about the current strength of Arsenal at the back.
Why is Arsenal defence even more strong this season
Arsenal had William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as their primary defenders. They both had an injury free last season which made them nightmare for opponents. However, we saw how Gunners tumbled in the 2022/23 season. It was due to injury cause to Saliba which killed the moment of the club. However, Gunners have now signed Riccardo Calafiori. Calafiori has provided strength to the North London club. In addition, he is very versatile and can play as fullback too.
Former England international Danny Murphy had his say about Arsenal’s defence on the BBC. To begin with, he said Arsenal are looking really settled. He added that the Gunners are powerful and have a brilliant defensive set-up. He said that the setup is now improved further by the addition of Calafiori. Later, he told why Gunners need Calafiori. According to him, Arsenal need Calafiori as a strong backup for Saliba and Gabriel. To conclude, Murphy said he knows the quality of Calafiori and that he has seen him play live twice in which the Italian was very good.
Will Arsenal use Calafiori as backup
From the words of Murphy, Arsenal will use Calafiori as a backup in defence for Saliba and Gabriel. However, it was said that Calafiori will play as a left back. The situation is still unclear. It will depend on Mikel Arteta and his views about Calafiori. Arsenal paid £39 million for Calafiori. He cannot be a backup option for very long. However, we saw him miss the opening match of the season. Calafiori was not used and spent the whole match on bench. Maybe it is also due to his recent injury. Maybe Arteta wants Calafiori to be fully fit before making him his regular starter. Oleksandr Zinchenko started the match against Wolves. He was later replaced by Jurrien Timber.
Arsenal were strong as usual in defence. They were able to keep a clean sheet in the opening match. Saliba and Gabriel started the match as centre backs. Ben White played and right back and Zinchenko as left back. Arsenal won 13 tackles with 72 percent accuracy. They made 8 interceptions and 15 clearances. It was first match for David Raya as a permanent Arsenal player. He made 3 saves ensuring Gunners are able to claim all three points. Arsenal will now play an away match against Aston Villa. It will be interesting to see if Calafiori plays that match. The match is on 24th August at Villa Park, Birmingham.
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