After 22 years, Arsenal recreates a moment that makes Arteta dream of the throne

The slim 1-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage not only secured Arsenal’s position at the summit but also echoed a “lucky sign” matching their undefeated 2003/04 campaign.

Leandro Trossard emerged as Arsenal’s hero by scoring the only goal in the 59th minute, securing the London club’s sixth Premier League win this season. With the full three points, Arsenal temporarily leads Manchester City by 3 points and will finish the round in first place.

However, what excites fans the most is not the scoreline, but how Arsenal achieved the victory. According to talkSPORT,Arsenal did not allow their opponents a single shot on target in two consecutive rounds, against West Ham and Fulham. This is the first time in 22 years that the red and white team has accomplished this feat, dating back to November 2003 when they kept Birmingham City and also Fulham “silent” in front of goal.

This achievement immediately reminded experts of the invincible machine under Arsene Wenger, when Arsenal won the league without losing a single match.

Not only defending solidly, Arsenal also demonstrated a frightening diversity in attack. Mikel Arteta’s team has become the first squad in the Premier League this season to have 10 different players scoring. Trossard joined a list already including Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli, and center-back Gabriel.

The only match Arsenal failed to score in was the 0-1 loss to Liverpool in August. Besides that, they have shown scoring ability from all lines, a key factor in long-term title races.

Currently, Arsenal has 19 points after 8 rounds, just one point shy of their tally in the 2003/04 season, when they triumphed convincingly. Meanwhile, Liverpool, one of their biggest rivals, has lost two consecutive matches to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, opening a clear opportunity for Arteta and his squad to pull ahead.

Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to second place for three consecutive seasons, but with consistent form and increasing competitive spirit, fans have reason to believe this time will be different. Arsenal is no longer just about attractive attacking; they have learned to win under any circumstance.

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