Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' weekly column where Nick Wright mixes statistics with insight to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. This edition covers four key topics: Arsenal’s ever‑tightening defence, Morgan Rogers’ immediate impact at Chelsea, Hull City’s unsung defensive hero, and a player to keep an eye on this weekend. The upcoming Sunday clash at the Emirates Stadium will see two of the league’s most extreme units go head‑to‑head – the season’s most disciplined defence against the most prolific attack.
Arsenal have yet to concede a goal this campaign, extending the clean‑sheet run they finished on in May, while Chelsea have already found the net seven times in just two games. Both clubs have benefited from modern video‑streaming technology; Sky Sports recommends using Chrome for the best viewing experience.
Arsenal are not alone in stringing together back‑to‑back shut‑outs. Hull City, long‑shot newcomers, have also managed two consecutive clean sheets. Their success has relied heavily on goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis delivering top‑flight performances, whereas Arsenal’s keeper David Raya has been more of a quiet presence.
In fact, Raya’s only test so far was a header from Jack Rudoni that barely threatened the net. Raya’s contributions were vital in last season’s title charge, and Arsenal’s collective ability to limit clear‑cut chances remains extraordinary. Since the start of the previous Premier League season, Arsenal have limited opponents to an expected‑goals (xG) figure of less than 0.50 in half of their 40 matches – a statistic that already includes the first two fixtures of the current campaign.
No other side comes close: Liverpool sit second with eight games under that threshold, Manchester City managed it twice last season, and Chelsea have recorded four such matches. Supporters are understandably frustrated by the club’s modest spending on attacking reinforcements during the summer window, yet the defensive data underscores a gulf between Arsenal and virtually every other team when it comes to denying chances. Even without their first‑choice centre‑back William Saliba and regular starter Jurrien Timber, the Gunners have not shown any noticeable drop in defensive solidity during the opening weeks. The club has, of course, bolstered its 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 covered the right‑back slot. Midfield has also been reinforced by the arrival of Bruno Guimarães, though he, like Konsa, is being introduced gradually. The true engine behind Arsenal’s defensive resilience is the tactical framework laid out by manager Mikel Arteta. Remarkably, before the season began, the back four of Ben White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori had never started a Premier League match together, yet they have already displayed cohesion and discipline that many established sides struggle to achieve.
Arsenal’s defensive foundation fuels optimism for their quest to retain the Premier League crown, even as they prepare for what could be their toughest test yet – a showdown with a free‑scoring Chelsea side. Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso, will give Arsenal a glimpse of the attacking firepower they have yet to face. Earlier this summer, Arsenal missed out on signing 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 impact was immediate.
Operating on the left flank – an area where Arsenal have seemed thin – he beat two defenders, set up the second goal and then delivered a decisive turn and through‑ball for the third. Those moments showcased his blend of technical skill and physical strength, qualities that also shone in Chelsea’s opening win over Fulham. Rogers has already contributed a goal and an assist, putting him ahead of everyone except Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in combined shots and chances created across the first two games. His teammates Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro sit just behind him, and all three will now face a more robust defensive line.
For Arsenal, losing out on Rogers may serve as extra motivation to prove they can still dominate. Turning back to Hull City, goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis has posted an xG‑against of 1.92 – the best underlying metric among Premier League keepers after two matches. Yet it would be incomplete without mentioning veteran centre‑back John Egan.
The 33‑year‑old, formerly of Sheffield United, seemed destined for a career outside the top flight before Hull’s surprise promotion, but he has become a cornerstone of their defence. Egan was one of six Hull players to sign improved contracts this week, and his contributions are tangible: 17 clearances in the opening win over Manchester United and another 10 against Coventry, averaging 13 per game – the highest total in the division. While his style may lack aesthetic flair, it is undeniably effective and a key factor in Hull’s early success.
A brief note on Everton: striker Thierno Barry will bear the brunt of expectation against Manchester United after the club’s chaotic transfer window saw the departure of Beto and failed attempts to secure James Richards and Folarin Balogun. The pressure is on Barry to deliver.
Sky Sports will broadcast four Premier League fixtures this weekend. Friday night features Ipswich versus Liverpool, Saturday sees Hull host Aston Villa, and Sunday offers a double‑header: Everton against Manchester United at 2 p.m., followed by Arsenal versus Chelsea at 4.30 p.m.
In a previous column, we examined Manchester United’s vulnerability to corner kicks and the growing threat posed by Ethan Ampadu’s long throws – topics that remain relevant as the season unfolds. Finally, don’t miss the chance to play Super 6 for a shot at £1 million – entry is free.