Pre-season is complete, and Arsenal look to be in top form as they prepare to embark on the 2024/25 season.
The success, but bitter disappointment, of recent years will be motivating factors for the Gunners, though there is a chance that it could induce pressure.
The North London outfit will undoubtedly have aspirations to go deep in every competition this season - and will hope to lift either their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, or their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
VAVEL UK's Arsenal writers have compiled a full preview for Arsenal's 2024/25 season - looking back at last season, the transfer window thus far and expectations for the forthcoming campaign.
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2023/24 season recap
Written by Samuel Ukah
The 2023/24 season saw Arsenal break numerous records in arguably their best Premier League performance since the famous invincible season of 2003/04.
Despite having the most wins in the league, the best defensive record, and only losing and drawing once since the turn of the year, the Gunners finished second behind Pep Guardiola’s Man City.
Arsenal started the season relatively well only losing their first league match in November. New addition Jurrien Timber suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the very first fixture, whilst £100m Declan Rice proved an astute pick-up. The side was not as free-flowing as the previous season which led to a lot of criticism for Kai Havertz as he was deployed in midfield.
December saw the worst month of the season for Arsenal as they took seven points from a possible 18 with losses to Villa (A), West Ham (H), and Fulham (A). This, combined with an FA Cup third-round exit in early January, led to Mikel Arteta taking his side to Dubai for some warm-weather training to regroup.
Once returned, Arsenal looked like a new and rejuvenated side, thrashing sides left, right, and centre. Havertz was moved into the striker position and began to flourish.
In February, the North London side scored 18 goals and only conceded twice, earning Arteta manager of the month. This electric form continued throughout the rest of the season only drawing to title rivals Manchester City and another loss to Aston Villa, halting their perfect 2024 league form.
Arsenal’s form in cup competitions, however, left a lot to be desired as they were eliminated in the third round of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
In Europe, the Gunners topped Group B of the UEFA Champions League - which consisted of PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens, and Sevilla. The round-of-16 saw a dramatic penalty shootout win over FC Porto with David Raya taking all the plaudits after saving two penalties.
Unfortunately, the Gunners' European run would end in the next round to ‘struggling’ Bayern Munich. A huge penalty shout in the dying seconds of the home 2-2 draw marred the spectacle of what was a terrific game of football. The away trip to the Allianz Arena proved all too tough for Arteta’s inexperienced Champions League side as a 63rd minute Joshua Kimmich header saw a quarter-final exit for Arsenal.
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Transfer window summary
Written by Aaron Jaffe
While Arsenal's transfer activity has been minimal so far, managing to keep their main players has been equally as important. They have had to let some highly-valued players go, as was the case last season with Granit Xhaka, this time Emile Smith Rowe and likely Eddie Nketiah as well.
The acquisition of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, a centre-back capable of playing in the left-back role, has been seen as shrewd business from the Gunners, while a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino would provide depth for Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey.
Arsenal could dive in for a winger and/or a striker before the end of the window - whether it be someone to compete with Bukayo Saka on the right, or a more traditional forward that will give Arteta's side an advantage going direct up top.
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Incomings and outgoings
Written by Conor Dunmore
Incomings
Arteta’s transfer business has proven to be slow and calculated during his time at Arsenal and this window has proven no different.
The Gunners have only made one permanent signing thus far with left-sided Italian defender Calafiori joining from Bologna for £42m.
Now the club's focus seems to be on the signature of Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad to increase Arteta’s options in midfield but it still remains to be seen if the deal will be confirmed before the season starts.
Should the Merino transfer go through, plenty of Arsenal fans have expressed their desire for more attacking threat to be added to the side, however, it is not yet certain if the Gunners will identify a suitable target.
A very quiet window so far in terms of incomings, some Gunners fans may be frustrated about the club's lack of urgency with only one deal done before the season.
However, if Arsenal secure Merino’s signature and sign an attacker late on, the window has undoubtedly strengthened the squad.
Outgoings
The biggest outgoing for the club this summer has been the sale of Smith Rowe, with the attacking midfielder ending his 14-year association with Arsenal to join Fulham for £34m.
Additionally, Nketiah looks to be leaving with strong links to French club Marseille, while Reiss Nelson could leave on loan.
Left-back Nuno Tavares and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga have also left on loan to Italian side Lazio and La Liga’s Sevilla respectively.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for fringe players in the squad such as Kieran Tierney and Aaron Ramsdale, with the pair seemingly out of the manager's plans.
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Strongest XI
Written by Aaron Jaffe
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey; Saka, Ødegaard, Martinelli; Havertz
Coming into the new season, Arsenal's strongest XI has the luxury of being variable, dependent on which players are performing at their best levels.
New signing Calafiori may slot straight into the left-back role. However, steep competition in the form of Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko may provide an entertaining contest, given both have shown that they can play the inverted role that Arteta has taken a strong liking to.
Partey has had his injury concerns and may be replaced by Real Sociedad's Merino, should the Gunners seal that deal before the season opener against Wolves.
Up front, Arteta has a plethora of options with Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Nelson and Nketiah all options that could be called upon as substitutions to Martinelli, Havertz and Saka. The addition of another striker could create even more competition, with Arsenal looking at ways to raise their level in comparison to Manchester City.
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Mikel Arteta and his tactics
Written by Callum Buchanan
Like a number of managers, Arteta has not been able to use his whole squad whilst on tour of the United States - this is because of the European Championships this summer.
Based on pre-season, it appears there will be no real changes to the formation Arsenal deploy, continuing to play a 4-3-3. What may change, however, are certain personnel in these positions.
For example, Timber - who missed the whole of the 2023/24 season through injury - may be the answer to Arteta’s left-back problems. If it is not him, it could be new signing Calafiori - who can play both centre-back and left-back.
Calafiori is a defender who likes to venture into midfield and carry the ball forward, looking to play a penetrating pass between the lines - very much like John Stones does for Man City.
This could then see Arteta move to a back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Calafiori and Timber - where the Italian would step forward as the others shift across as a back three while Arsenal are able to overload the midfield in possession.
This would change their build-up to a 3-2 with Calafiori playing as a central midfielder along with one of Jorginho or Rice and allowing the rest of the attack to start higher up the pitch pinning back the opposition.
This would give Arsenal more control in games which is something Arteta is always looking for - being able to control the game and not allow the opposition a chance. After all, the Gunners kept the most clean sheets last season, with 18, and also conceded the fewest goals (29).
Out of possession, they will move back to a four, given that each are able to defend one-on-one when needed - both centrally and out wide. They all boast good height as well, meaning that they will be able to defend set pieces more comfortably while providing a threat in the other box.
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Key talking points
Stick with Havertz, twist with the returning Jesus or opt for a new addition?
Written by Aaron Jaffe
One of the key talking points across last season and undoubtedly into this season will be the scrutiny of the centre-forward position. Amidst criticism of Kai Havertz's transfer last August, the German international surprised many with some stellar performances, racking up 14 goals and seven assists in all competitions.
However, Jesus has looked much livelier in pre-season and could contest Havertz for his spot, wishing to make his mark in the central role.
Should Arteta turn towards the transfer market, a traditional '20+ goal striker' may be the answer to questions that they needed answering at the backend of last season. Sporting's Viktor Gyökeres has been a target for the Gunners and would provide them with the aerial presence that Havertz has, but also the lethal finishing instincts that the North London outfit has missed.
Youth will play an important role
Written by Jak Netting
Arteta has often been criticised for what some fans have deemed to be a failure to integrate the club's brightest academy stars into the first team.
Over the course of pre-season, however, the Spaniard has made nonsense of these accusations - which has given life to the emergence of several young stars in the senior squad.
Most notably, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have made the leap and have looked completely natural in the first-team set-up.
After the 4-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen last week, Arteta said:
"If they continue like they are doing right now, I'm not going to have any difference [in approach] whether they come from the academy or we sign in from Argentina, or Germany, or Italy.
"They are showing the quality that they have, especially they're showing the personality that they have to play at this level, and let's see. Why are we going to put any restrictions [on their game time]. [It is] the opposite, they deserve minutes, they will gain minutes."
It is clear from Arteta's comments that the young stars will be given their fair chance in the upcoming season and, with the exciting options that they offer, they could play an important role in the Gunners' season.
Arteta's left-back conundrum
Written by Jak Netting
In recent years, squad depth has often been a key issue for Arsenal and has at times held the team back at crucial moments of the season.
This remains true for some positions, like the lack of rotation available for Bukayo Saka, but other areas of the pitch are blessed with a plethora of talent.
One such area is left-back, where Arteta will have to choose between at least three players who can all make a very strong case for starting, while another will be knocking on the door in the not-too-distant future.
Calafiori, Zinchenko and Kiwior are all top talents and, while they each offer something different to the team, only one can realistically start for Arteta.
Kiwior has been tipped for an exit in the transfer window, but Arteta is not far from having to consider Lewis-Skelly - who has also looked very accomplished in the role during pre-season.
It is a nice problem to have, of course, but is one that the manager will need to stay on top of if he is to keep all of his players happy over the course of the season.
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Expected finish - 1st
Written by Sam Lowen
The Gunners have had a good pre-season, bringing in new signings like Calafiori. This will add more depth to the left-hand side of defence, which was one of Arsenal’s weakest positions last season.
Arteta and his players will want to avenge the pain of last season, do one better, and win the league title they have been so close to over the past two years.
New signings and key players returning give Arsenal a big advantage next season. However, they will have intense competition again from the top six.
The top six have brought in new reinforcements, adding strength to the Premier League, but Arsenal will be on the hunt to win the Premier League title for the first time in 21 years.
The North London side will also have other competitions to play throughout the season, meaning Arteta and his players have a long season.
However, the players will have a chip on the shoulder wanting to win the title for the fans.
