Cascarino predicts Arsenal will break Chelsea's 15-goal PL record after Sunderland win
Arsenal defeated Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light on September 13, 2026, after a goalless first half where David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee's penalty. Substitute Bruno Guimaraes broke the deadlock shortly after, and Bukayo Saka converted a stoppage-time penalty following Reinildo Mandava's red card for fouling Saka. This victory marks Arsenal's fifth clean sheet in six matches this season, including three out of four Premier League games.
Former Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino believes this defensive solidity could break Chelsea's long-standing Premier League record for fewest goals conceded in a season. Chelsea conceded just 15 goals while winning the 2004-05 title under Jose Mourinho—a mark Liverpool matched with 22 goals in 2018-19 but never surpassed. Cascarino told talkSPORT: 'I call them the anaconda team because they literally suffocate you. They excel in every aspect; to me, they are the team capable of breaking Chelsea’s goals against column.'
With Arsenal having conceded only once in their opening four games last season before falling short of Chelsea's benchmark, the question for Nigerian fans watching the title race intensifies: Can the Gunners maintain this 'anaconda' level of defense through a demanding fixture list to finally end Chelsea's 20-year dominance in this defensive category?