In a weekly attritional dance for a lot of final season, Mikel Arteta repeatedly resisted recommendations that the title was past an Arsenal squad requiring an out-and-out goalscorer.
The problems had been interlinked for a facet whose main marksman within the division, Kai Havertz, scored 9 occasions. No stress, Viktor Gyokeres, however 20 targets as a part of a primary Arsenal title since 2003/04 can be good.
Arsenal have come second in every of the final three seasons underneath Arteta however 2024/25 was the primary marketing campaign of these by which high spot not often appeared real looking, scoring 22 fewer targets than they did in 2023/24.
With reigning champions Liverpool spending closely and Manchester Metropolis hoping for a return to imperious type, can Arsenal problem extra convincingly this time?
Arsenal signings 2025/26
Gyokeres, who might value £64 million, scored 97 targets in 102 video games for Sporting however by no means made a Premier League look for Brighton & Hove Albion earlier than establishing himself within the second tier with Coventry Metropolis.
Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi – a £55.8m signing from Actual Sociedad – will enhance the availability line as an all-rounder in midfield, the place Denmark’s Christian Norgaard provides metal for a modest £15m from Brentford.
England ahead Noni Madueke value £52m from Chelsea and gives far stronger competitors in assault than Arteta’s mortgage gamble on Raheem Sterling final season, whereas versatile 21-year-old defender Cristhian Mosquera has arrived for £13m after enjoying an astonishing variety of minutes for Valencia during the last two seasons, a reliability that may very well be vital for a backline frequented by accidents.
David Raya’s £5m understudy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, retains the excellence of being the world’s most costly goalkeeper because of the £72m charge Chelsea paid Athletic Membership for him in 2018.
What else may change for Arsenal in 2025/26?
Following Edu’s departure in November, Andrea Berta has his first full season as sporting director however has already made his mark with these signings, whereas one other newcomer, 15-year-old attacking midfielder Max Dowman, has had a glowing pre-season as an affect substitute and will characteristic within the league for the primary time.
Martin Odegaard’s type is probably essential after a return of six targets and 12 assists that was underwhelming by the captain’s requirements final season, and Havertz will need a repeat of the prolific begin he made earlier than a mid-season hamstring harm saved the ahead out for 18 video games.
Bukayo Saka was scintillating earlier than lacking the identical variety of matches with the identical challenge, instantly contributing to 22 targets by December.
The place will Arsenal end in 2025/26?
A pattern measurement of two house friendlies has yielded the revelation that Arsenal’s fortunes are more likely to hinge much less on their strikers than the standard of service they obtain.
Gyokeres appeared remoted within the 3-2 defeat to Villarreal however scored alongside Saka and Havertz in an encouraging 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Liverpool alone, having reinforced from a position of strength, ought to make second place once more an achievement for Arsenal. Arteta can be extra more likely to see it as an indication of inertia.
