Arteta Joins Premier League’s Elite 250-Game Club, but Where Does He Rank?

Mikel Arteta joined an exclusive Premier League group on Monday when Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa marked his 250th league game in charge of the club. Only nine other managers have reached that figure with a single top-flight team.

The travelling Arsenal supporters responded by singing that their team would win the league again under Arteta. The club entered the season as defending champions, while Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United were described as being affected by transition. Arsenal have also won their first two league matches for a fifth consecutive season.

The victory at Villa Park reflected the identity Arteta has built during nearly seven years in charge. Arsenal allowed no shot on target, extending a defensive record that helped them win last season’s title, their first in 22 years. The Gunners conceded the fewest goals in the league last season and have allowed opponents only three shots on target across their first two games this campaign.

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It’s how they defend as a team and how they attack as a team

Arsenal kept six league matches without allowing a shot on target during last season’s title run, joint-most in a Premier League campaign since 2003/04. David Raya has won the Golden Glove for the past three seasons, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have made the PFA team of the year in each of those seasons.

Since the start of March, Arsenal have recorded eight Premier League clean sheets, three more than any other side. Only Juventus, with nine, have kept more among teams in Europe’s five major leagues. Thierry Henry attributed the record to collective work, saying, “It’s how they defend as a team and how they attack as a team.” He added, “You don’t have any passengers in that team. This is how you win a title.”

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You don’t have any passengers in that team. This is how you win a title. You can see they are so good at it.