Arsenal summer signing explains secret clean sheet tactic as Sunderland admission made

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Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard has revealed that the clean sheet record has become a part of Arsenal's culture

Christian Norgaard insists clean sheets have become part of Arsenal culture as they look to break a record at Sunderland on Saturday.

Their 3-0 win over Slavia Prague brought about an eighth successive victory to nil for the Gunners. Should they manage to repeat the feat for a ninth time at the Stadium of Light, they will eclipse the Preston side of 1889 and the Liverpool side of 1920.

Asked whether clean sheets come up a lot in training and in conversation between players, Norgaard highlighted how it’s more ingrained than that. “No, I think it's just something we want to... I don't know, it should be part of the culture without us speaking too much about it," the summer signing from Brentford said.

“We need to love to defend, and when you look at our defenders and our goalkeeper in particular, they look like someone who really loves to defend. So it's something we hope we can continue doing over the season.”

It was put to Norgaard that the record which equalled that of the club set back in 1903 is coming naturally to the side and that it has reached a more subconscious level to be so solid defensively. “I'm happy you say that,” Norgaard replied. “That's how we want to have it to look like.

“But we know also the difficulty of it and it's not something that can go on for a whole season. But we want to concede as little as possible. Like I said, when you concede as little as possible, there's a good chance you're going to get away with points.”

Sunderland sit fourth in the Premier League table after a brilliant start to the new season, aided by former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. They are yet to be beaten at home in the league this season. However, this was the same for both Fulham and Slavia Prague before the Gunners arrived to end such records.

“It's going to be so difficult,” Norgaard said when asked about the task facing this Arsenal side on Saturday afternoon. “[The] Stadium of Light is going to be absolutely buzzing. It's a crazy atmosphere there, I've heard.

“Sunderland is doing really well this season. We have so much respect for them and now we will start to look into that opponent. But the objective is of course to keep the good form going.”

Sunderland look something of a rarity for the Premier League and not one that is lost on the likes of the Danish midfielder. The newly promoted club could break a bad record for sides of such ilk should they manage to continue their strong form and avoid the drop come the end of the season.

“I think it's fantastic to see the three teams that were promoted last year doing really well this season. I think the previous two seasons it's been the three teams going up that's gone down again. I think it's amazing to see Sunderland doing well, Burnley doing well, and Leeds as well. I think it makes the league more competitive. I think that's fantastic.”