In an era when human performance and sports science continue to advance at a remarkable pace, there are very few football records that remain truly untouchable. But Chelsea’s 2004-05 Premier League campaign remains one of the great exceptions. José Mourinho’s side conceded only 15 goals on their way to winning the title, a record that has stood unchallenged for two decades.

No team has come close since. Chelsea themselves conceded 22 times the following season and, along with Manchester United in 2007-08 and Liverpool in 2018-19, came closest to the magical 15 number. But even then, those three teams were still seven goals shy.

To put Chelsea’s phenomenal record into perspective, Wolves and West Ham have already let in 16 goals this season – one more than Mourinho’s side did in 38 games.

But Arsenal, who logged yet another clean sheet at the weekend away to Fulham, are on track to beat Chelsea’s famous record. Their latest shutout means they have conceded only three times in eight league games this season – a rate of 0.38 goals per game. If they maintain that pace, they will be on course to concede 14.4 goals across the full 38-match season....