Why Arsenal’s Worst Defensive Performance in 122 Games Delighted Chelsea Legend John Terry

John Terry was in the mood to celebrate while watching Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 on Sunday.

The result catapulted United above Terry’s beloved Chelsea in the Premier League. However, it also ensured that Chelsea would retain the record for the best defensive season in Premier League history for at least another year.

Chelsea’s record for the best defensive season in Premier League history safe for another year

Terry was part of Chelsea’s class of 2004/05 that conceded just 15 goals in 38 games en route to winning the Premier League title under manager Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal had held the record prior to Chelsea, having finished the 1998/99 season with only 17 goals conceded.

No other team has completed a Premier League season while conceding fewer than 22 goals, but Chelsea’s record briefly looked in danger this term after the Gunners made a rock-solid start in 2025/26.

Fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season

Goals conceded	Club	Season
15	Chelsea	2004/05
17	Arsenal	1998/99
22	Chelsea	2005/06
22	Manchester United	2007/08
22	Liverpool	2018/19
23	Manchester City	2018/19
24	Chelsea	2006/07
24	Chelsea	2008/09
24	Manchester United	2008/09
25	Liverpool	2005/06

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal let in just three goals in their opening 10 league fixtures, keeping seven clean sheets in the process.

They have kept just four clean sheets in 13 Premier League games since then, though. And Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by the Red Devils means they have now conceded 17 times in 23 matches this season.

John Terry celebrates after Arsenal’s bid for Premier League record fails

While Arsenal still have the best defence in the Premier League this season statistically, they are no longer able to break Chelsea’s all-time record.

Terry took to Instagram to celebrate before Sunday’s game had even finished. Shortly after Patrick Dorgu fired United in front 50 minutes into the contest, Terry posted a video to Instagram.

The video showed Terry in his home, watching the television while reaching for a bottle of wine.

View this post on Instagram

“January the 25th, 2026, and the record is safe,” he said in the video. “Man United two, Arsenal one… still 25 minutes to go. But the record is safe for another season.

“So Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, William Gallas, it’s time to celebrate with a bottle or a glass of red wine. I’m going for the bottle. Full celebration tonight.”

Terry then stated his belief that Chelsea’s record will never be beaten, although he admitted he had been “a little bit worried” by how well Arsenal had started the season.

Arsenal’s worst defensive performance in 122 games

Based simply on goals conceded, Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Man United was Arsenal’s worst defensive performance in 122 games.

Not since beating Luton Town 4-3 in December 2023 had the Gunners conceded more than two goals in a single match in any competition.

121 – Arsenal conceded 3+ goals in a match for the first time since December 2023 (v Luton), ending a run of 121 matches across all competitions without conceding more than twice. Anomaly.
pic.twitter.com/lkAXZMBJjr

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
January 25, 2026

John Terry questions Arsenal’s Premier League title credentials

As well as missing out on the all-time Premier League record for the best defensive season, Sunday’s defeat saw Arsenal miss the chance to move seven points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa in the title race.

Instead, Arteta’s men sit just four points above their closest rivals with 15 rounds of fixtures remaining. Man City beat Wolves 2-0 at home on Saturday, before Villa won 2-0 at Newcastle on Sunday.

Speaking during Sunday’s video, Terry appeared to question Arsenal’s title credentials. He said: “It looks like Arsenal are under a little bit of pressure for the first time this season. Can they do it? Can they get it over the line this season? Judging on this, I’m not sure at the minute.”

Terry’s prediction came just days after Alan Shearer had backed Arsenal to win the Premier League.

“I think they’ll win the Premier League with the seven-point advantage they’ve got,” Shearer said before the latest round of fixtures.

However, Shearer predicted that Arsenal would fall short in the Champions League this season. That prediction came after a 3-1 away victory at Inter Milan on Tuesday — a result that saw Arsenal set a club record for their longest ever Champions League winning streak.