Best defences in Premier League history: Ranking the five greatest backlines
Premier League title-winning teams are often built on mean defences, but who has had the best backline in the league's history?
Arsenal's current contingent are taking plenty of plaudits after their weekend win at Liverpool, with Jamie Carragher insisting their backline are comparable with iconic defences of the past.
We've ranked our best defences in Premier League history, based on talent, togetherness, records, and clean sheets.
5. Liverpool, 2018/19
Jurgen Klopp's best Liverpool sides are often remembered for their firepower, but the Reds proved hugely difficult to break down too. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson excelled at both ends of the pitch, while Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk were colossal during the 2018/19 campaign.
Van Dijk was named PFA Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or runner-up, as Liverpool finished second with a record 97 points, losing only one game and conceding just 22 goals. In Europe, Klopp's side were crowned Champions League winners after beating Spurs in Madrid.
Only two teams in Premier League history have ever conceded fewer goals across an entire season.
4. Arsenal - 1998/99
Arsenal's famous back four was coming towards the end in the late nineties, but still proved resolute in their latter years. After winning a domestic double in 1997/98, Arsenal conceded only 17 goals during the following season's title defence.
Martin Keown had replaced Steve Bould as a regular at centre-back, but Arsenal remained fortress-like.
The issue was a lack of goals at the opposite end as the North Londoners languished behind Manchester United in the title race. That issue was fixed by the summer arrival of a certain Thierry Henry.
3. Arsenal - 2026/27
Arsenal's current contingent deserve their place in the conversation of all-time Premier League defences. The Gunners have had the best defensive record in the league in each of the last four seasons, and appear to be getting even better defensively.
This season has seen Riccardo Calafiori come into his own as a unicorn of a full-back, while Ezri Konsa's arrival has added remarkable defensive depth, allowing Arsenal to remain formidable even in William Saliba's absence.
2. Manchester United - 2008/09
Manchester United actually conceded fewer league goals during their previous season's title success, but 2008/09 was a record-breaking year. United set a new top-flight record after keeping 14 consecutive clean sheets between November and February.
The partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic was iconic, with the latter named Premier League Player of the Season.
1. Chelsea - 2004/05
Chelsea's record low of 15 goals conceded during the 2004/05 campaign is a landmark that might never be beaten.
Jose Mourinho built his title-winning team from the back, recruiting Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho from his Champions League-winning Porto team to join John Terry and William Gallas. Petr Cech also arrived to command the goal, while Claude Makelele's selfless presence in midfield provided further security.
Their historic season saw Chelsea record the most clean sheets kept in a Premier League season (25).
