If discovering a approach via Arsenal’s watertight again 4 wasn’t arduous sufficient, they then must beat David Raya.
It’s a process even probably the most formidable of attacking models throughout Europe have struggled to do, however particularly within the Premier League.
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In truth, since Raya made his Premier League debut for Brentford – coincidentally towards Arsenal in August 2021 – no Premier League goalkeeper has stored extra clear sheets.
The Spaniard has a staggering 58 Premier League clear sheets to his identify and can be seeking to improve that tally to 59 when the Gunners welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium on December 27.
Arsenal’s conflict towards the Seagulls will even mark Raya’s a hundred and fiftieth look in all competitions for the membership, ought to he begin.
Fortunately for Raya, who first arrived at Arsenal on mortgage in August 2023 earlier than being made everlasting the next summer season, he has been blessed with a ready-made, iron-clad centre-back pairing in entrance of him.
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For the reason that 2022/23 marketing campaign after they lined up collectively for the primary time, William Saliba and Gabriel have fashioned one of many Premier League’s most formidable defensive partnerships.
The pair have featured alongside each other on 129 events.
Of these 129 video games, Gabriel and Saliba have tasted defeat 21 instances, excluding penalty shootouts.
That quantity drops to simply 12 in Premier League motion, solely considered one of which has occurred this season after they slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Liverpool.
Sadly for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, he has not been in a position to discipline his first-choice centre-back pairing since a 2-2 draw away to Sunderland on November 8 attributable to Saliba and Gabriel sustaining accidents.
The outcome marked the primary time Arsenal had conceded twice in a Premier League match by which Saliba and Gabriel performed collectively since November 30 final yr when the Gunners romped to a 5-2 win over West Ham.
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Nevertheless, the draw did little to remove from a outstanding stat that proves Raya, up to now, has been the least busy goalkeeper in Premier League historical past.
In response to Opta’s stats, Arsenal have conceded a median of two.18 photographs on the right track per sport, which thus far represents an all-time Premier League low.
To make what’s already a startlingly-low determine all of the extra spectacular, the quantity has risen due to latest matches towards Chelsea and Aston Villa, the place they allowed 4 and 6 photographs on the right track respectively.
Arsenal didn’t have Saliba and Gabriel collectively at centre-back for these matches.
In opposition to Chelsea, Arsenal lined up with summer season arrivals Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera on the coronary heart of defence, with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber offering assist at left and right-back respectively.
And two video games later towards Villa, the again 4 was modified once more as Hincapie had Timber alongside him at centre-back as Ben White got here in at right-back whereas Calafiori retained his place on the left.
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Arsenal received neither of these video games, registering a 1-1 draw towards a ten-man Chelsea and succumbing to a 2-1 loss to Villa due to Emi Buendia’s sensational winner with the final kick of the sport.
However in a serious enhance for Arteta’s facet, Saliba has lasted the total 90 minutes in Arsenal’s final three matches.
In these video games, Arsenal have conceded a complete of 4 photographs on the right track, underlining Saliba’s significance to the again line.
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As for Gabriel, who sustained a muscle harm whereas on worldwide obligation with Brazil in November, he has returned to particular person coaching and will make his long-awaited return in January.
With Arsenal solely two factors forward on the Premier League summit forward of the crunch festive interval, the return of Gabriel alongside Saliba cannot come quickly sufficient for Arteta.
