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Premier League

How does Arsenal defence examine to Premier League’s finest?

by Soccer-News
written by Soccer-News

After 812 minutes and eight successive matches with out conceding in all competitions, Arsenal’s defence was lastly breached on the Stadium of Mild.

Hosts Sunderland lastly confirmed their rivals the best way to rating in opposition to the Gunners – and did so twice.

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Whereas final Saturday’s 2-2 draw might have put a small dent in Arsenal’s Premier League title cost, their four-point lead on the prime of the desk has undoubtedly been constructed on a watertight defence.

The eight clear sheets in a row equalled their very own membership file set again in 1903 – no imply feat when you think about the calibre of a few of their predecessors. It additionally matched the mark of Preston’s 1889 facet, and Liverpool in 1920, for many matches received in a row with out conceding by an English membership.

As Mikel Arteta’s males put together to host Tottenham on Sunday, many imagine a primary league title since 2003-04 is there for the taking.

Up to now this marketing campaign they’ve conceded simply 5 targets in 11 matches and are monitoring simply behind the file for the fewest conceded in a season – 15 by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004-05.

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Undoubtedly an elite unit, however the place does Arsenal’s again 4 rank when contemplating the very best we have seen within the Premier League period since its inception in 1992?

‘Solely factor lacking from their CV is trophies’

There’s some fierce competitors for that crown however, statistically, the Gunners are proper up there.

Practically a 3rd of the best way by way of the marketing campaign, they’re conceding 0.45 targets per recreation. In the event that they preserve that charge they may concede 17 targets over the 38 video games.

Chelsea’s 2004-05 title-winning facet maintain the file at 15, with Arsenal’s classic in 1998-99 conceding 17, however ending trophyless.

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The following tightest defence is the 2007-08 Manchester United facet and Liverpool in 2018-19, who each conceded 22 targets.

There’s a good distance nonetheless to go for Arsenal, but when the backline of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori – with keeper David Raya behind them – keep match and strong, then they have each probability of being talked about amongst this quartet.

That may be a huge if although, with fears Gabriel after being injured on Brazil obligation, whereas Italy worldwide Calafiori additionally has an issue that must be assessed.

The Gunners even have the very best defensive file in Europe’s prime 5 leagues this time period, with the fewest targets conceded, fewest photographs on the right track confronted and most clear sheets.

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They’ve allowed solely 21 photographs on the right track within the Premier League this season, together with three throughout their final 5 matches. Their common of 1.9 photographs on the right track confronted per recreation is the bottom since Opta’s information started in 2003-04.

It’s important to return to September and October 1987 for the final time Arsenal bettered this season’s file of 4 successive league video games with out letting in a aim.

That got here underneath supervisor George Graham in an period that impressed the well-known “1-0 to the Arsenal” chant to serenade a group with the type of defensive resilience that Arteta’s males are replicating.

Sunderland’s strikes, from Dan Ballard and an injury-time Brian Brobbey equaliser, denied them the prospect to beat Manchester United’s Premier League file of 14 consecutive clear sheets, achieved again in 2008-09.

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In the meantime, Liverpool are the file holders for clear sheets within the Premier League period throughout all competitions, having gone 11 straight video games with out conceding underneath Rafael Benitez in 2005-06.

Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown, who was a part of the membership’s 1998-99 facet, wrote in his BBC Sport column: “We are able to see with our personal eyes how good the defence is.

“The one factor lacking from their CV is trophies.

“In the event that they may very well be champions, they attain that elite stage alongside these previous title-winning groups.”

Premier League’s prime defences by way of the years

Chelsea maintain the file for fewest targets (15) conceded in a Premier League season in 2004-05 [Getty Images]

So who’re Arsenal’s rivals in relation to the league’s main defences?

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Check out the choices beneath and vote for which defensive unit you assume was, or is, the very best.

Chelsea (2004-05)

The Blues stormed to the league title in Mourinho’s first season in cost – in no small half due to probably the most miserly defence within the league’s historical past.

Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry and William Gallas made up the common again 4, with Petr Cech in aim, as Chelsea conceded simply 15 instances.

Arsenal (1998-99)

The Gunners’ finest backline within the Premier League period – till now?

Having received the league and FA Cup Double within the earlier season, Arsenal’s defence was exemplary in 1998-99 with Lee Dixon, Keown, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn taking part in in entrance of David Seaman.

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The outcome was a mere 17 targets conceded, however issue placing the ball within the web on the different finish meant they needed to accept second place within the desk behind Manchester United.

Manchester United (2007-08)

Maybe Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest United facet as they lifted each the Premier League and Champions League.

With Edwin van der Sar between the sticks, a settled again 4 of Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra conceded simply 22 league targets.

That’s joint third within the all-time record with Liverpool in 2018-19 and Chelsea in 2005-06.

Liverpool (2018-19)

Solely three groups in Premier League historical past have completed with greater than the 97 factors mustered by Jurgen Klopp’s facet in 2018-19.

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Whereas Liverpool have been identified for an excellent entrance three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, their defence was fairly immaculate too.

Brazil stopper Alisson Becker was there to brush up if anybody ever acquired previous a again 4 of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson as they let in solely 22 targets all season.

Manchester Metropolis (2018-19)

It took a exceptional facet to disclaim that Champions League-winning Liverpool outfit the Premier League title in that marketing campaign – and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis have been simply that.

Goalkeeper Ederson was ever current, with Kyle Walker, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte additionally regulars in a defence that featured Vincent Kompany, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nicolas Otamendi throughout the course of the marketing campaign.

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Their 23 targets conceded was another than Liverpool however, crucially, additionally they claimed another level to turn out to be champions.

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Ligue 1

Joao Pedro’s “aggressive” claims evaluate Chelsea supervisor with Ligue 1 coach

by Soccer-News
written by Soccer-News

Joao Pedro’s interview with yesterday was actually fascinating on quite a lot of fronts.

He famous how he was working exhausting to have the ability to play twice every week as he of Champions League soccer. He additionally spoke about two Italian managers he had – Roberto De Zerbi who introduced him to Brighton, and now Enzo Maresca who has introduced him to Chelsea.

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De Zerbi in comparison with Maresca by Joao Pedro

Enzo Maresca talking on Sky Sports activities.

“I feel each have a ardour, they love soccer, they’re very sensible, however De Zerbi is extra aggressive. Not in a foul method,” the striker stated.

“The way in which each suppose, it is vitally simple to know what they need, however I feel Enzo is aware of handle generally between the gamers.

“The way in which he talks is extra comprehensible. Enzo is extra composed however each managers are actually offensive. They wish to play with the ball and wish to have the ball in the entire recreation so it’s excellent for me. I feel they’re related but additionally they’re completely different.”

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How “aggressive” De Zerbi pushed JP to the following stage

Whereas Joao Pedro picked Maresca’s man administration as superior, he did give main credit score to De Zerbi for having pushed him on the the following stage as a participant:

“Once I was at Watford I used to be a little bit bit comfy with my place. Once I moved to Brighton he pushed me day-after-day,” the striker stated.

“He stated issues like I could possibly be a prime striker on this planet. From that I began to consider in that. I began to consider if I work day-after-day exhausting I could possibly be a prime striker.”

Chelsea at the moment are reaping the rewards of De Zerbi’s work on the South Coast.

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Champions League

How does Delap examine to Jackson?

by Soccer-News
written by Soccer-News

Chelsea’s acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich City indicators extra than simply one other youth-focused signing; it marks a press release of intent. The highly-rated ahead arrives at Stamford Bridge to not heat the bench, however to stake his declare because the spearhead of a brand new attacking period.

In the meantime, the jury stays out on Nicolas Jackson. Regardless of flashes of promise, the Senegalese worldwide has but to completely persuade the Chelsea devoted that he can lead the road for a membership with ambitions of difficult for the Premier League and making a severe return to the Champions League elite.

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So, how do the 2 strikers stack up? What does Delap supply that Jackson would possibly lack, and vice versa? Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at how these two frontmen examine as Chelsea shapes their ahead line for subsequent season.

Whereas Jackson edges Delap barely in top, it is the England Beneath-21 worldwide who holds a transparent benefit within the air. Delap’s aerial prowess grew to become notably evident throughout his time at Ipswich City – a aspect that operated with the least possession within the Premier League.

In such a system, Delap’s function was pivotal. He wasn’t only a objective risk; he was a launch valve. His capacity to carry up the ball underneath strain gave Ipswich’s defence much-needed respiratory room, whereas his power and timing within the air made him a menace for opposition backlines. Whether or not contesting lengthy balls or attacking crosses, Delap introduced a bodily edge that added construction and chew to Ipswich’s ahead play – qualities Chelsea might discover invaluable.

Then there may be the straightforward indisputable fact that Delap (12) scored extra targets within the league than Jackson (10). Not at all are both of those numbers excellent, however this was the Englishman’s debut season within the top-flight division as a beginning ahead, and he performed for a aspect that was relegated and had the third-worst assault within the league.

[Getty Images]

Delap’s capturing accuracy, excluding blocks, is at 60.38% while Jackson is at 54.69% for a similar class. Delap can also be higher at dribbling previous gamers. The previous Manchester Metropolis youth academy participant accomplished virtually twice as many dribbles per 90 as Jackson does.

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Aesthetically and statistically, Delap attracts inevitable comparisons to a sure Chelsea legend. Dare or not it’s stated: there are shades of Didier Drogba in his sport. Like Drogba, Delap boasts a towering presence, the physicality to steer the road on his personal, and the uncooked energy to bully defenders. He is additionally deceptively fast, able to stretching defences and creating chaos in transition. Whereas matching Drogba’s legacy is a nigh-on unimaginable job, the early indicators recommend Delap shares greater than just some traits with the long-lasting No.11.

There is a new striker at Stamford Bridge and his stats present he is not there to make up the numbers.

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Premier League

Revealed: How Liverpool’s £20.8m Agent Charges Evaluate to the Remainder of the Premier League

by Soccer-News
written by Soccer-News

Revealed: How Liverpool’s £20.8m Agent Charges Evaluate to the Remainder of the Premier League

The Soccer Affiliation’s newest figures have laid naked the huge sums Premier League golf equipment proceed to channel into agent charges, with an eye-watering complete of £409 million paid between February 2024 and February 2025. But, in a panorama usually dominated by monetary flamboyance, Liverpool’s extra measured method stands out.

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Whereas not frugal by any stretch, Liverpool’s outlay of £20.8 million on intermediaries positions them within the Premier League’s mid-tier for agent-related expenditure. That determine turns into much more telling when considered alongside Chelsea’s league-leading £60.4m or Manchester Metropolis’s £52.1m.

Liverpool’s Enterprise Displays Deliberate Planning

Regardless of vital adjustments behind the scenes and a high-profile managerial transition, Liverpool’s dealings available in the market remained comparatively understated within the final switch window. Solely two notable arrivals had been made for the primary staff: Federico Chiesa from Juventus and Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.

Photo: IMAGO

Photograph: IMAGO

Chiesa, the Italian worldwide and Euro 2020 winner, arrived at Anfield for a surprisingly modest preliminary price of £10 million, with one other £2.5 million tied to performance-related bonuses. Although as soon as considered one in every of Europe’s brightest skills, his time in Turin was interrupted by a critical knee harm in 2022, which arguably tempered each expectations and price ticket.

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Mamardashvili, in the meantime, was acquired for as much as £29.6 million—a big funding in a brand new No.1 and a transparent assertion of intent for the post-Alisson period. The Georgian goalkeeper’s deal, like Chiesa’s, was rigorously structured, with £5 million in conditional add-ons.

Teaching Appointments Add to Whole Agent Charges

The FA report additionally sheds gentle on a much less seen however more and more influential nook of membership expenditure: teaching appointments. Liverpool’s agent charges included funds not only for participant offers but additionally for securing the companies of recent head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

These behind-the-scenes strikes usually carry vital middleman prices, a actuality many followers overlook when dissecting membership budgets. Slot’s appointment following Jurgen Klopp’s departure in Could 2024 was at all times more likely to contain appreciable negotiation, and Liverpool’s dealings right here had been no exception.

Liverpool’s Relative Frugality Stands in Distinction to Rivals

In context, Liverpool’s £20.8 million agent spend seems modest, particularly in comparison with their conventional and rising rivals. Right here’s how they stack up:

Membership

Agent Charges

Chelsea

£60.4m

Manchester Metropolis

£52.1m

Manchester United

£33.0m

Aston Villa

£25.1m

Newcastle United

£24.4m

Arsenal

£22.8m

Liverpool

£20.8m

West Ham

£19.0m

Tottenham Hotspur

£18.4m

Brighton

£16.6m

Apparently, the report excludes any funds associated to Mohamed Salah’s not too long ago signed two-year contract extension, which was finalised after the FA’s reporting window closed on 3 February 2025. That omission might barely understate Liverpool’s complete spend however doesn’t materially alter their standing within the agent price league desk.

Agent Charges Stay a Barometer of Energy in Fashionable Soccer

Finally, the £409 million collectively spent by Premier League golf equipment on agent charges during the last 12 months underscores a vital actuality: brokers stay among the many strongest figures within the sport. From participant transfers to managerial appointments, their fingerprints are discovered on each main deal.

For Liverpool, nonetheless, the numbers counsel a membership trying to steadiness ambition with sustainability—an method maybe symbolic of a brand new period underneath Arne Slot. Whether or not this restraint proves prudent or limiting shall be judged not by spreadsheets, however by what unfolds on the pitch.

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Premier League

How 2024-25 Liverpool examine to iconic Premier League champions after 13 video games

by Soccer-News
written by Soccer-News

are operating away with issues on the high of the desk.

After 13 video games of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, Arne Slot’s males are 9 factors clear on the high of the desk. They’re to elevate the title, and look to be ending ‘s reign of terror.

The Reds have collected 34 factors from a doable 39, solely failing to win two of their 13 video games. This Liverpool staff might obtain nice issues this season in the event that they hold their run going.

However the query is, can they hold their run going? And in the event that they do, what information may very well be of their sights?

We’ve taken a have a look at a number of the iconic Premier League champions within the competitors’s historical past to see the place they have been after 13 video games. We’ve damaged them down into sections, based mostly on what made them iconic — or record-breaking in a variety of circumstances.

Factors

Just one staff has hit 100 factors in a single season in Premier League historical past. Man Metropolis’s 2017-18 title-winning staff have been document breakers in additional methods than one. However probably the most vital was the rationale they might take the title of Centurions.

A century of factors in a 38-game season was beforehand exceptional within the Premier League, and even then Man Metropolis wanted a aim from Gabriel Jesus within the 94th minute towards on the ultimate day.

We must always have seen it coming, although. After 13 video games, Man Metropolis had taken 37 factors from a doable 39, the joint-most in a single Premier League marketing campaign. Their solely dropped factors got here within the second gameweek with a draw towards Everton. However Man Metropolis would win their subsequent 18 total, build up a commanding lead.

Liverpool’s 2019-20 Premier League title winners have been the one different facet to have 37 factors after 13 video games. Their solely dropped factors throughout that begin got here towards Manchester United at Outdated Trafford, which may be excused. They turned out to be Liverpool’s solely dropped factors throughout their first 27 matches. Sure, TWENTY-SEVEN. That’s 79 factors from a doable 81.

Slot’s present lot will take coronary heart from historical past too. Of the eight different groups to have taken not less than 34 factors from their opening 13 Premier League video games, just one have did not win the title that 12 months. and Kevin Keegan in 1995-96 will without end be remembered for it.

Wins

One other document held by Man Metropolis’s centurions, the 2017-18 champions received 32 of their 38 video games en path to the title. However they repeated the feat in 2018-19, and Liverpool copied them in 2019-20. They have been setting the usual throughout that interval.

Naturally, with 37 factors from a doable 39, each Man Metropolis in 2017-18 and Liverpool in 2019-20 had received 12 of their opening 13 video games. For Man Metropolis, that included wins over the likes of Liverpool (5-0 on the Etihad), and . Liverpool had wins over Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man Metropolis in 2019-20.

Man Metropolis’s 2018-19 title winners received 11 of their opening 13 video games, with two attracts protecting them from the document factors complete. That included a gap weekend win towards Arsenal and victories over Tottenham and .

Even Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2003-04 solely had 10 wins from 13 video games, with three attracts. They did beat Liverpool and Chelsea throughout that run.

Liverpool have 11 wins this season, together with their current 2-0 win over Man Metropolis at Anfield. The Reds have additionally crushed Chelsea, Manchester United and .

Objectives scored

Any guesses on who scored probably the most objectives in a single Premier League season? You received’t get any prizes for saying Man Metropolis’s Centurions. Pep Guardiola’s facet scored 106 objectives en path to the title, crushed the document of 103 set by Chelsea in 2019-10.

Of their first 13 video games, Man Metropolis had scored 42 objectives at a median of three.23 per match. However that they had scored not less than 5 objectives in 4 separate matches throughout that point, together with the 5-0 win over Liverpool. Man Metropolis scored three or extra objectives seven occasions, and solely netted one aim in a sport twice.

Liverpool are the joint-second highest scorers within the Premier League this season, however they’ve solely scored 26 objectives. That’s an easy-to-work-out common of two per sport. The Reds have scored not less than two objectives in 11 of their 13 video games to this point, however have solely hit three objectives in three matches.

Objectives conceded

Whereas they aren’t blowing groups away in assault, Liverpool have been sturdy defensively. The Reds have conceded eight objectives throughout 13 video games, protecting seven clear sheets. At this stage of the season, you’ll begin to see comparisons to the most effective defensive facet in Premier League historical past.

Within the 2004-05 Premier League season, Jose Mourinho led his Chelsea facet to their first league title in 50 years. On the best way, the Blues conceded simply 15 objectives. For some, this positioned Chelsea as the most effective champions of that period, in an in depth battle with Arsenal’s Invincibles.

After 13 video games of the 2004-05 season, Chelsea had conceded simply 4 objectives — half of Liverpool’s tally in 2024-25. That they had saved 9 clear sheets and didn’t conceded multiple aim in a single sport throughout that run. Coincidentally, they did concede two in a sport for the primary time that season of their 14th match. Southampton, Man Metropolis, West Bromwich Albion and have been the one groups to breach Chelsea’s web throughout their first 13 video games.

Objective distinction

Man Metropolis’s 2017-18 champions maintain the document for the most effective aim distinction in a Premier League season. Naturally that’s aided by their 106 objectives scored, however Man Metropolis additionally conceded 27 objectives for a aim distinction of +79.

After 13 video games, Man Metropolis had a aim distinction of +34. As beforehand talked about, that they had scored 42 objectives throughout that point. However that they had additionally matched Liverpool’s present tally of simply eight objectives conceded. This was aided by the 4 wins by a margin of 5 objectives or extra. Watford have been crushed 6-0 for the largest win throughout that point. Two years later, Man Metropolis’s aim distinction was +35 after 13 video games, scoring 40 and conceding simply 5.

This season, Liverpool’s present aim distinction is +18, the most effective within the Premier League. The Reds’ largest win to this point has been 3-0, crushed Man United and by that scoreline.

Lead

With probably the most factors in a single season in Premier League historical past, it is smart that Man Metropolis have the largest margin of any champion. The 2017-18 title winners have been 19 factors away from second-placed Man United. Two years later, Liverpool went near breaking the document, with a margin of 18 factors over Man Metropolis in second.

However Man Metropolis don’t maintain the document for the largest factors lead after 13 video games. That season, they have been eight factors clear on the high of the desk — one fewer than Liverpool’s present lead. In 2019-20, Liverpool have been additionally eight factors clear on the high.

It is a document held by Man United. Within the 1993-94 season, arguably Man United’s finest title-winning marketing campaign, the Pink Devils had an 11-point lead on the high of the desk after 13 video games.

Man United had taken 34 factors from their opening 13 video games, with second-placed Norwich Metropolis on simply 23 factors — stage alongside Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers. The Pink Devils did “solely” win the title by eight factors that season, although.

Liverpool’s 2019-20 season did take a document due to their massive early led. They received the Premier League title with seven video games to spare, the quickest the championship has ever been claimed.

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