Mikel Arteta’s side ended up gaining two points on Liverpool this weekend who weren’t able to replicate Arsenal’s ruthless away performance against Brighton & Hove Albion in their own trip to Old Trafford.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal FC - Premier League
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Manchester City of course negated their trip to face Crystal Palace in the weekend’s early kick off, avoiding another disappointing result against a ‘bogey’ side of theirs.
But with all said and done, Arsenal will be delighted to be top of the table as they head into a similarly monumental battle with Bayern Munich tomorrow.
Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern side are really out of form right now, but will still provide Arsenal’s biggest test of the season to date.
That all being said, and with a focus on the domestic honour Arsenal could still win, Micah Richards believes there’s something that no one is saying about Arteta’s side right now.
Micah Richards says Arsenal’s goal difference could decide the title race
Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast with Gary Lineker, Micah Richards thought Arsenal’s defensive record could be incredibly important.
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He explained: “They’re just an excellent team now, aren’t they? They can change it up, they can defend when they need to, attack when they need to, great mentality.
“Even when they are under pressure at times they withstand it, they’re a machine now, fair play to them, they’re exciting.
“And a lot of things people are not talking about, when we won the league with Man City we won it on goal difference and their goal difference is the best at this moment in time.
“So that’s like an extra point essentially isn’t it, for Arsenal, but I just think they are great to watch, they’ve definitely matured.
“But I just think, Gabriel and Saliba…”
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Lineker interjected: “What a partnership that is.”
Richards: “It’s just class and they just look hungry, it’s going to be interesting to see if they can hold it until the end of the season now.”
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are the best partnership in the league
Richards is right to point out the advantage that Arsenal have built in the title-race this season, and it’s because of their excellent record at the back.
Arsenal’s goal difference is currently 51, in comparison to Liverpool’s 42 and Manchester City’s 40.
And it’s goals conceded that has ultimately made the difference.
In 31 games the Gunners have conceded just 24 goals, allowing an xGa of 24.80 (Understat).
And perhaps what is even more rewarding for Arsenal fans is that is a deserved figure too.
Arsenal have only conceded one less goal than they statistically deserved to, in comparison to Liverpool who have only conceded 30 goals, but allowed a xGa of 37.13.
So if Arsenal’s downfall in last season’s title-race was their reliance on emotion to carry them over the line, they could definitely win it on merit this time around.
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