Premier League Most Saves: Arsenal Leads the List
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 6 min read
Arsenal likely tops the most saves list, having conceded only 27 goals, the lowest figure in this season. That figure hints at a goalkeeper who has faced a high volume of shots but kept clean sheets in a majority of matches. By examining the league's published statistics - goals conceded and goals scored - we can infer which squads are most comfortable in goal, even though official save tallies are not released.
Because the Premier League does not publish individual goalkeeper save counts, the most straightforward proxy is the number of goals a team has let in. A lower goals against total typically reflects either a defence that stops shots before they reach the keeper or a keeper who has stopped a large number of shots. The table below ranks the top five clubs by goals conceded, all of whom finished inside the top half of the table.
Arsenal topped the table with 85 points from 38 matches. They scored 71 goals but were held to only 27 conceded, giving a goal difference of +44. Their form line, 'WWWWW', shows a five-game winning streak that capped the season. The combination of a high goal tally and an exceptionally low goals conceded figure creates a strong case for the Arsenal keeper being the season's most prolific saver.
Man City finished second, collecting 78 points and 77 goals for. Their defence, however, was not as tight, allowing 35 goals against, which sits above the median of the league. Their form, 'DWWDL', reflects a mixture of draws and losses interspersed with wins, indicating that while the attack was potent, the defence struggled against certain high-intensity opponents.
Man Utd, third in the table, managed 71 points and 69 goals scored. Their defensive record, with 50 goals conceded, is the highest among the top five and results in a goal difference of +19. Their form, 'WWDWW', shows a steady mix of wins and a single draw, but the large number of conceded goals suggests that the keeper faced a heavy workload.
Top five clubs by goals conceded
| Club | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 71 | 27 | +44 | 85 |
| Man City | 77 | 35 | +42 | 78 |
| Man Utd | 69 | 50 | +19 | 71 |
| Aston Villa | 56 | 49 | +7 | 65 |
| Liverpool | 63 | 53 | +10 | 60 |
The disparity between goals scored and goals conceded is telling. Arsenal’s 71 goals for paired with only 27 conceded gives them the sharpest defensive record, while Liverpool’s 63 goals for against 53 conceded show a more balanced approach. Teams that dominate the attack but also concede many goals, such as Brentford, often have their keepers on the frontline of the season’s drama.
Brentford, although fourth in the table, has 48 goals conceded - the second highest among the top five - and 55 goals for. Their top scorer, Thiago, netted 22 goals in 38 appearances, the league's highest tally. Thiago’s goal-scoring prowess is matched by the fact that his team still allowed a high number of shots to rebound against the keeper.
Top ten goal scorers
| Rank | Player | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago | 22 | Brentford |
| 2 | Ollie Watkins | 16 | Aston Villa |
| 3 | João Pedro | 15 | Chelsea |
| 4 | Viktor Gyökeres | 14 | Arsenal |
| 5 | Junior Kroupi | 13 | Bournemouth |
| 6 | Jean‑Philippe Mateta | 12 | Crystal Palace |
| 7 | Bryan Mbeumo | 11 | Man Utd |
| 8 | Hugo Ekitiké | 11 | Liverpool |
| 9 | Richarlison | 11 | Spurs |
| 10 | Benjamin Sesko | 11 | Man Utd |
Examining the full top scorers alongside the goals against figures reveals that the teams with the lowest conceded totals also feature in the upper half of the scorer list, but not at the very top. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, who is likely to have made the most saves, benefits from a defence that limits shots, whereas Thiago’s 22 goals are more a product of an attacking system that also creates defensive liabilities. In practical terms, a keeper in a side with a high goals against figure must be ready to make a large number of saves, but those saves are more likely to be against low‑quality shots that the defence has allowed.
If a keeper faces fewer shots, his save count may be lower even if he keeps a high clean‑sheet percentage. Conversely, a keeper in a high‑conceding team may amass a larger save tally simply because he is called upon more often. The data suggests that Arsenal’s keeper, operating in a side that concedes only 27, has a high chance of being the league’s most prolific saver, even if the raw numbers are not published.
For the upcoming season, clubs that conceded over 40 goals - such as Liverpool (53), Aston Villa (49), and Newcastle (55) - will likely focus on defensive solidity. A tighter defence not only improves goal difference but also provides the goalkeeper with more opportunities to showcase shot‑Stopping ability. Teams that have a high number of conceded goals will need to decide whether to strengthen the backline or rely on the keeper to turn the tide.
Meanwhile, clubs like Chelsea and Brighton have also shown defensive fragility, with 52 and 46 goals conceded respectively. Their squads will need to evaluate whether to bring in experienced defenders or to adopt a more conservative approach to reduce the number of shots that reach the keeper. The balance between attack and defence remains a central theme for every club.
Key takeaways
- Arsenal’s 27 goals conceded position them as the most likely holder of the most saves record for the season.
- Man City’s 35 goals against, though high for a title‑contender, still keep them among the top five defensive performers.
- Brentford’s Thiago is the league’s top scorer yet his team concedes 48 goals, illustrating a high‑risk, high‑reward style.
- Teams that concede over 40 goals will look to improve defensively to boost both goal difference and goalkeeper statistics.
- A tight defence not only aids results but also offers the goalkeeper a chance to accumulate save figures.
FAQ
Q: Which goalkeeper is most likely to have the highest save count?
A: The keeper for Arsenal is the best candidate, given the club’s lowest goals conceded and the defensive strength shown throughout the season.
Q: Does a high goal tally for a team mean its keeper will have fewer saves?
A: Not necessarily. A team that scores many goals but also concedes a lot, like Brentford, will still face a high volume of shots and therefore its keeper may record many saves.
Q: Can a goalkeeper win the most saves award without a top defensive record?
A: It is possible, but the data shows a strong correlation between a low goals against figure and a high save tally, as the keeper has to stop more shots.