Arsenal head into the 2025/26 campaign with a familiar but frustrating feeling of unfinished business, as the Gunners ended the season as English Premier League runners-up for the third consecutive year.
Despite their consistent brilliance, Arsenal have once again fallen short of claiming the crown, leaving fans both proud of their progress and efforts but also yearning for their first league title since 2003/04.
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Mikel Arteta has built a dynamic, high-performing team, with a blend of youth and experience, and with the breakthrough just out of reach, a summer of strengthening will be required to help Arsenal take that final step and claim the trophy.
Potential Line-Up For 2025/26 Season Opener
GK – David Raya
- Raya has proven himself to be one of the league’s and world’s best goalkeepers since joining Arsenal ahead of the 2023/24 season, with the Spaniard winning the Golden Glove award in each of the last two seasons, and he will certainly keep his place as a result of his exceptional performances.
RB – Ben White
- White and Jurrien Timber shared the role last season, partly due to injuries, but the Englishman is likely to be the first choice right-back, with his greater attacking abilities a key part of Arsenal’s attacking play down the right side, allowing him to combine with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
CB – William Saliba
- Saliba is one of the best central defenders in world football, with his skillset often comparable to Virgil van Dijk, with the pace and power allowing him to bully attackers, while his reading of the game is also second to none.
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
- Gabriel is the perfect partner for Saliba, with the Brazilian adopting a more aggressive style that partners nicely with the Frenchman’s ability to cover in behind the Arsenal defensive line. Gabriel’s aerial threat is also key from corners, with the defender scoring 15 league goals in the last four seasons.
LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly
- Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a sensational debut campaign in 2024/25, making the left-back position his own, with his ability to break into the midfield and dictate the play combining nicely with his ability to drive down the line and combine with the left winger.
CM – Martin Odegaard
- Odegaard may have struggled at times last season, but Arsenal’s captain is a key figure in their build-up play, especially when combining in fast-paced passing play triangles along with Saka and the right-back in question.
CM – Martin Zubimendi
- The first of the potential new signings, Zubimendi would be a brilliant addition to this Arsenal team, as the Spaniard excels at dictating the tempo and passing through the lines, meaning the Gunners would have an easier time breaking down defensive sides by quickly getting the ball to their creative players.
CM – Declan Rice
- Rice had yet another fantastic season, with his defensive power combining brilliantly with his ability to pick up the ball in deep areas and break into the opposition half, while he also provides a big goal threat.
RW – Bukayo Saka
- Saka is one of the biggest stars in this Arsenal team and it is clear to see why, his ability to go down the line and pick out a teammate in the box or cut inside and get a shot on goal is almost unmatched in the league, with very few players capable of stopping Saka.
ST – Benjamin Sesko
- Arguably the most important position needed for Arsenal, the Gunners are desperately looking to sign a striker that can score 15+ Premier League goals. While Kai Havertz has done well when playing up front, a natural born goalscorer with killer instinct in front of goal is needed to bridge the gap to the title. Sesko provides the aerial threat and running power that Havertz lacks, while he is still able to drop deep and link up with the likes of Odegaard when needed, making him the perfect striker signing.
LW – Rodrygo
- Arsenal’s attacks are often lopsided to the right wing because of Saka’s brilliance, meaning the Gunners need to match his star power on the left side, and they have been strongly linked with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. The Brazilian could thrive on the left wing, allowing him to cut inside on his right foot or get down the line and cross with his left, while his experience of winning league titles and Champions Leagues could be invaluable in the dressing room.
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Other Potential Signings
Arsenal have already confirmed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga as their back-up goalkeeper to Raya, while the Gunners have also been linked to several covering options in defensive areas, most notably being linked with Ajax’s teenage sensation Jorrel Hato.
As already mentioned, Arsenal are supposedly prioritising a striker signing, and Viktor Gyokeres has also been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners alongside RB Leipzig’s Sesko.
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