text: Chelsea drove themselves one step closer to the Premier League title with another defensive masterclass at the Emirates, shutting out Arsenal just a week after doing the same to Manchester United. Led magnificently by John Terry, Jose Mourinho’s side have proved once again that a solid back four is the bedrock of any title challenge. From the meanest to the most successful, Sportsmail takes a look at the best defences in Premier League history. John Terry (centre), Gary Cahill (left) and Branislav Ivanovic celebrate Chelsea's goalless draw at Arsenal . ARSENAL 1997-98... Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould/Martin Keown, Nigel Winterburn . These rear Gunners might have been getting a little long in the tooth, but it didn’t stop them delivering the Double for Arsene Wenger in his first full season in English football. They conceded 33 Premier League goals along the way as they pipped Manchester United to the title. Tony Adams was the main man in a fiercely solid unit that had been forged under George Graham. They knew each other’s game inside out and few defences down the years could match this one for experience and knowhow. (From left) Steve Bould, Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn and Lee Dixon celebrate the title . ARSENAL 2003-04... Lauren, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole . Six years on and it was an entirely new Arsenal backline that will forever be lauded for their contribution to the Invicibles, Wenger’s team that amazingly went unbeaten on their way to the title in 2004. The Gunners conceded only 26 goals in the process as they finished 11 points clear of Chelsea. Campbell had succeeded Adams as the kingpin and they had more attack-minded full backs in Cole and Lauren, but the old defensive steel was as strong as ever. Lauren, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole (not pictured) formed one of the league's best defences . Campbell played alongside Toure in the season Arsenal went unbeaten as Cole and Lauren (right) confront Phil Neville after their side's infamous 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2003 . CHELSEA 2004-05... Paulo Ferreira, John Terry, William Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho . No team in Premier League history has conceded fewer goals than Mourinho’s side in his first season in England after the Portuguese coach moved to Stamford Bridge fresh from his Champions League triumph with Porto. Chelsea’s defence was breached just 15 times as they won the title with 95 points, another Premier League record. Mourinho brought Ferreira and Carvalho with him from Porto and the effect was instant. William Gallas and John Terry celebrate after the latter scored for Chelsea in a 4-1 win against West Ham . MANCHESTER UNITED 1998-99... Gary Neville, Jaap Stam, Ronny Johnsen, Denis Irwin . United’s Treble winners were not the meanest by any stretch, letting in 37 goals in 1999 compared with the 17 conceded by nearest challengers Arsenal. But the attacking instincts of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side always meant it was going to be a case of ‘we’ll score more goals than you’, as was evident in the two 3-3 draws with Barcelona that season. Ferguson has since said that Irwin would be the only certain inclusion in a best XI picked from his time at Old Trafford, while selling Stam was arguably his biggest regret. Either way, this back four deserves their place in the hall of fame on the basis of the club’s Treble achievement. Jaap Staam (centre) and Gary Neville (right), pictured with David Beckham and Dwight Yorke (top), formed half of United's Treble-winning defence. Denis Irwin played at left back with Ronny Johnsen partnering Stam . MANCHESTER UNITED 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09: Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra . This was an altogether more compact United, conceding an average of 24 goals on their way to winning the title three years in a row. Has there ever been a better bit of January transfer business than the two deals United completed in 2006 to sign Vidic and Evra from Spartak Moscow and Monaco respectively? Vidic teamed up with the majestic Ferdinand to forge one of the great central defensive partnerships, playing together in three Champions League finals, while Neville was still going strong at right back. Nani's celebration is overlooked by Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in the summer of 2007 . Ferdinand's partnership with Vidic helped Manchester United to successive titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009 . MANCHESTER CITY 20011-12: Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Aleksandar Kolarov . Manchester City’s success in conceding only 29 goals was ultimately crucial in snatching the title away from United on goal difference after an unforgettable final day of the season in 2012. Kompany, who lifted the trophy, was well on his way to establishing himself as a City legend, as was Zabaleta. Both players had been signed by Mark Hughes, along with Lescott, but the defensive nous of Italian Roberto Mancini helped turn City into a more solid unit before he brought in the combative Kolarov from Lazio. Vincent Kompany is mobbed by his defensive partner Aleksandar Kolarov after scoring against Liverpool .
target: Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta all starred in Chelsea's 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium .
  Chelsea have conceded only 26 goals this season .
  They are closing in on another Premier League title under Jose Mourinho .
  Chelsea's defence have proved that a solid back four is key to a charge .
  Jamie Carragher: Terry is the Premier League's greatest ever defender .
  Terry on course to take part in all PL games for first time in his career .