BACK 4 TO THE FUTURE

Lee Dixon, a member of the legendary Arsenal defence under George Graham, sees similarities with that backline and the one that has helped Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the table

- BY JOHN CROSS

SIR ALEX FERGUSON famously said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”

If that was true then Arsenal would have been champions in each of the last two seasons.

Mikel Arteta has built a fearsome defence which conceded the least number of goals - 29 and 34 - in 2023/24 and 2024/25 but finished second both times.

The difference this time - or at least what Arteta is hoping - is Arsenal's determination to take their defending to a whole new level and turn it into an art form.

Arsenal won titles under George Graham because of their famous back four. The same defenders were the rock upon which Arsene Wenger built his first Double-winning side in 1998. Lee Dixon (circle), part of those teams, says the “similarities” between then and now are obvious.

After 11 games, Arsenal have conceded just five goals and that is the foundation upon which Arteta believes he can win the title.