Koscielny and Mertesacker: The secret behind Arsenal’s success this season

It is no surprise that the team top of the Premier League has the division’s best defence and Arsenal have just that with only 18 goals conceded, letting in, on average, less than one goal per match.

However, it might be surprising that Arsenal have the best defence considering their partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are not considered among the league’s best by fans and pundits alike, and often come in for plenty of criticism.

They have been part of a backline that has kept an impressive 9 clean sheets and conceded more than twice in just the opening day disaster at home to Aston Villa and the 6-3 disaster of a goal-fest away defeat to Manchester City.

They are in the top ten in the league for both tackles and headers won and, as a collective, Arsenal’s defensive line are extremely solid.

Playing in 15 games together this season, they have conceded an average of 0.93 goals per game. Everton’s, whose defence is joint second-best in the league, centre-back duo of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin have played 18 games together and have conceded slightly more: 0.94 goals per game.

Chelsea, who have – like Everton – conceded 19, have used John Terry and Gary Cahill as their most common centre-back pairing, playing 13 times together and conceding an average of 9.2 goals per game which is slightly better than the Arsenal duo but in fewer matches.

As individuals, Mertesacker and Koscielny’s data backs up their claims of being the Premier League’s defensive partnership. In the air the German is impeccable, winning 72% of the 67 headed duels he has contested. He has also won 52% of his tackles. Koscielny is slightly better at tackling, winning 58%, but worse in the air. The Frenchman has won just half of his headed duels, but the two together are very difficult to get past.

Mertesacker’s duels in the Premier League

Both central defenders also have an excellent pass completion with the pair both completing 92% of their passes. Koscielny plays 80.8% forward while Mertesacker does the same with 79% of his passes and both have chipped in with the odd key pass.

Koscielny’s passing in the Premier League

Their pass accuracy is equal best with Matija Nastasic, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho as the best in the Premier League among defenders who have played 10 games or more.

While other teams have suffered injuries and suspensions in their defence, Mertesacker and Koscielny have been able to play together for pretty much all of the season allowing them to build a cohesive relationship and an understanding which has allowed them to become the best centre-back pairing in the Premier League.

With just three games lost all season and the third-best attack in the division, Arsenal are looking a good bet for the title. They stand a good chance if Mertesacker and Koscielny both stay fit. While Thomas Vermaelen has proved himself to be a capable backup defender but the club only have three first-team centre-backs so any problems in this area could really derail their season.