It took a quarter century for a team to equal Nottingham Forest’s 42 match unbeaten run. But on Sunday afternoon, Brian Clough’s men were finally caught as Arsenal defeated Middlesbrough 5-3 in the Highbury sun.
Two teams from two different eras with two amazing league runs – so which is better?
Forest were able to turn their domestic run into European success. In the 1978/79 season, when their unbeaten streak ended, they won the first of two consecutive European Cups. But domestically, there is evidence to suggest Arsenal’s achievements are more impressive.
Sir Alex Ferguson recently said that Arsenal didn’t show championship form last season because they drew too many games. The Old Trafford manager would be unimpressed with Clough’s men then, because they drew 21 games during their unbeaten run. Arsenal have only drawn 12 games during their current streak. Using the current system, awarding three points for a win, Arsenal have gained 102 points during their run compared to Forest’s 84.
Defensively, the old Forest team were superior to Arsène Wenger’s modern, all-out attacking squad. During their 42-game run, Forest conceded just 22 goals and kept 25 clean sheets, compared to Arsenal’s 31 goals conceded and 16 clean sheets. Forest did, however, concede two or more goals four times, while only Newcastle and Tottenham have scored two goals and Middlesbrough three against the current Arsenal Immortals.
While Forest might have been better than Arsenal defensively, they could not contend with the attacking firepower today’s Gunners have. Forest found the net 58 times, for a goal difference of +36, while Arsenal have scored a massive 92 goals in the past 42 games, compiling a goal difference of +61.
Forest’s biggest victory was a 4-0 triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford in December 1977. The unbeatable Arsenal have recorded two victories by five goal margins – 6-1 against Southampton in the run’s opening game and 5-0 over Leeds United last spring.
The victory over Manchester United marked Forest’s only match where they scored four or more times. Arsenal have accomplished that feat an incredible nine times.
Of course, comparing these statistics is somewhat meaningless. The style of play in the Premiership is vastly different to the style of play in the old First Division 25 years ago. So which of these two teams is better? Discuss on the forum here.