John Terry was in the mood to celebrate as he watched 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 hold 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 is safe for another year
Terry was part of Chelsea’s class of 2004/05 who conceded just 15 goals in 38 games on their way to winning the Premier League title under manager Jose Mourinho.
Arsenal held the record before Chelsea, having finished the 1998/99 season with just 17 goals conceded.
No other team has completed a Premier League season conceding fewer than 22 goals, but Chelsea’s record briefly looked in jeopardy this season after the Gunners made a rock-solid start to 2025/26.
Fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season
| Goals against | 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 have scored just three goals in their first ten league matches, keeping seven clean sheets.
However, since then they have kept just four clean sheets in thirteen Premier League games. And Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to the Red Devils means they have now conceded 17 times in 23 games this season.
John Terry is celebrating after Arsenal’s bid for Premier League record collapse
Although Arsenal still statistically have the best defense in the Premier League this season, they are no longer able to break Chelsea’s all-time record.
Terry took to Instagram to celebrate before Sunday’s game had even ended. Shortly after Patrick Dorgu gave United the lead 50 minutes into the match, Terry posted a video on Instagram.
The video showed Terry in his home, watching the television while grabbing a bottle of wine.
“January 25, 2026, and the record is safe,” he said in the video. “Man United two, Arsenal one… 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 party tonight.”
Terry subsequently stated that he was confident Chelsea’s record will never be broken, although he admitted he was “a little concerned” about 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 to Man United was Arsenal’s worst defensive performance in 122 games.
Since beating Luton Town 4-3 in December 2023, the Gunners had not conceded more than two goals in a single match in any competition.
121 – Arsenal conceded more than three goals in a match for the first time since December 2023 (against Luton), ending a run of 121 games in 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 are just four points above their nearest rivals with fifteen rounds remaining. Man City defeated Wolves 2-0 at home on Saturday, before Villa won 2-0 at Newcastle on Sunday.
During Sunday’s video, Terry appeared to question Arsenal’s title credentials. He said: “It looks like Arsenal are under some pressure for the first time this season. Can they do that? Can they get it over the line this season? Looking at this, I’m not sure at the moment.”
Terry’s prediction came just days after Alan Shearer backed Arsenal to win the Premier League.
“I think they will win the Premier League with the seven-point lead they have,” Shearer said before the final round of matches.
However, Shearer predicted that Arsenal would fall short in the Champions League this season. That prediction came true after a 3-1 win at Inter Milan on Tuesday – a result that saw Arsenal set a club record for their longest ever Champions League winning streak.
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