Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' data‑driven yet opinion‑rich column where Nick Wright breaks down the Premier League stories you need to know. This week’s agenda includes: - Is Arsenal’s defence continuing its upward trajectory? - Morgan Rogers' immediate impact at Chelsea.
- Hull City’s unsung defensive stalwart. - A player to keep an eye on this weekend. On Sunday, the Emirates Stadium will host what many are calling the clash of the season’s most disciplined defence against the league’s most prolific attack.
Arsenal have yet to concede a goal this campaign, extending the clean‑sheet run they finished with in May, while Chelsea have already found the net seven times in just two matches. For the best viewing experience, use the Chrome browser to access the video player.
Arsenal are not alone in stringing together back‑to‑back shut‑outs; Hull City have also managed to keep their opponents off the scoresheet. Hull’s achievement has relied heavily on goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis delivering top‑class performances, whereas Arsenal’s David Raya has largely been a quiet presence, stepping in only when a lone Jack Rudoni header tested him. Raya was instrumental in last season’s success, but Arsenal’s collective ability to limit clear‑cut chances remains extraordinary. Since the start of last term, Arsenal have allowed an expected‑goals (xG) value of less than 0.50 in 20 of 40 Premier League games – a statistic that already includes the first two fixtures of the current season.
No other club comes close: Liverpool sit second with eight such games, Manchester City managed just two, and Chelsea have recorded four. Supporters are understandably frustrated that the club failed to bolster its attacking options during the transfer window, yet the defensive metrics underline a significant gap between Arsenal and the rest of the league when they are out of possession. Even with the absence of their first‑choice centre‑back William Saliba and the injury‑prone Jurrien Timber, Arsenal’s defensive shape has barely wavered in the opening weeks.
The club has invested heavily in depth – Ezri Konsa has logged only 11 minutes so far, while Cristhian Mosquera has stepped in comfortably alongside Gabriel at centre‑back, and Ben White has filled the right‑back slot. Midfield depth has also improved thanks to the arrival of Bruno Guimarães, although, like Konsa, he has been introduced gradually. The true foundation of Arsenal’s defensive solidity lies in the tactical framework established by manager Mikel Arteta.
Remarkably, before the season began, the back four of White, Mosquera, Gabriel and the newly‑signed Riccardo Calafiori had never started a Premier League match together, yet they have already demonstrated cohesion and resilience. Arsenal’s defensive robustness offers a hopeful outlook for their quest to retain the Premier League title, even as they prepare to face a Chelsea side that boasts an almost relentless scoring record. Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso, provide a glimpse of the quality Arsenal missed out on when they failed to sign Morgan Rogers, who ultimately chose the Blues. Watching Rogers from the press box at Stamford Bridge during Chelsea’s 4‑3 victory over Brighton, his performance was a masterclass in left‑wing dynamism – the very area where Arsenal have appeared thin.
Rogers beat two Brighton defenders to set up Chelsea’s second goal, then executed a clever turn and a through‑ball that sparked the third. Those moments highlighted his blend of technical skill and physical power, and similar displays against Fulham have silenced many critics who thought Chelsea overpaid at £117 million for him.
So far, Rogers has contributed a goal and an assist, putting him second only to Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in combined shots and chances created across the opening two games. Chelsea’s other front‑three members, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, also rank highly, but they now face the challenge of replicating their threat against a more disciplined Arsenal defence.
Rogers, the Arsenal target who slipped away, may find extra motivation to prove his worth. Turning back to Hull City, goalkeeper Tzolakis has posted an impressive xG‑against figure of 1.92, the best among all Premier League keepers after two matches. Yet it would be remiss not to acknowledge the contributions of veteran centre‑back John Egan.
At 33, the former Sheffield United defender might have thought his top‑flight days were behind him, but he was among six Hull players to sign improved contracts this week and has been pivotal. Egan recorded a remarkable 17 clearances in Hull’s opening‑week win over Manchester United and followed that with another ten against Coventry, averaging 13 clearances per game – the highest total in the division.
His defensive work may lack flair, but its effectiveness is undeniable. A brief note on Everton: striker Thierno Barry will shoulder the goal‑scoring burden after the club’s sale of Beto and failed pursuits of James Richardson and Folarin Balogun left them with a solitary attacking option. The pressure will be on Barry to deliver.
This weekend’s Premier League schedule on Sky Sports includes four live matches: Ipswich versus Liverpool on Friday night, Hull hosting Aston Villa on Saturday evening, and on Sunday, Everton versus Manchester United at 2 pm followed by Arsenal versus Chelsea at 4.30 pm. In a previous column, we examined Manchester United’s vulnerability to corners and the growing threat posed by Ethan Ampadu’s long throws – issues that could prove decisive in the upcoming fixtures. For a chance to win £1 million, enter the Super 6 competition for free.