According to a report by Football London on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Arsenal have challenged Erik ten Hag’s belief that a team must score between 85 and 90 goals to win the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta’s side proving that defensive solidity can be just as important in a title-winning campaign.

The former Manchester United manager previously argued that teams need a prolific attack to secure England’s top-flight title. However, Arsenal’s triumph last season offered a clear example of how a strong defence can provide an alternative route to success.

Ten Hag, who was dismissed by Manchester United in October 2024 after spending more than two years in charge, discussed the importance of recruitment, player quality and statistical analysis during an interview with The Athletic.

“When you want to win the Premier League, you need 85, 90 goals,” the Dutchman said.

Despite this assessment, Arsenal demonstrated last season that winning the Premier League does not necessarily require a team to reach such a high goalscoring total.

Arteta’s side secured their first league title in 22 years in May 2026 after scoring just 71 goals throughout the campaign. Their defensive performances proved decisive, as they conceded only 27 goals and kept 19 clean sheets.

The achievement highlighted the effectiveness of Arteta’s tactical approach, which prioritises defensive organisation, teamwork and concentration throughout matches.

The Arsenal manager previously explained his philosophy in 2024, emphasising that attacking players must also take responsibility for defensive duties if the team hopes to achieve sustained success.

“The key is that everybody goes 100 miles per hour for every ball. Our strikers, our wingers, our attacking midfielders, they have a love for defending,” Arteta said.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that players understand and appreciate their defensive responsibilities just as much as their attacking contributions.

“Installing that within the players is something really important. Applauding and paying compliments to that as well, so when those defensive actions happen, they are valued as much as the attacking ones. If you want to win consistently, that door has to be shut,” he added.

Although Ten Hag’s argument underlines the importance of scoring goals, Arsenal’s title-winning campaign demonstrates that defensive efficiency can also play a decisive role in determining the outcome of a Premier League race.

The Gunners have maintained their defensive strength during the 2026/27 season. They have scored 13 goals in the league while conceding only five, giving them the best defensive record in the division.

Their performances further reinforce the idea that a balanced team, capable of defending effectively while taking advantage of scoring opportunities, can compete successfully for major honours without necessarily reaching the goalscoring figures suggested by Ten Hag.