In recent seasons, Arsenal has, for much of the time, been genuine Premier League title encounters, finishing as top-flight runners-up in seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24.
At times, the Gunners have been in control of the title race, only to be pipped to the post by the league’s dominant force, Manchester City.
Difficult to identify weaknesses
Arsenal’s hierarchy, including head coach Mikel Arteta, will need a big summer if they are to have a chance to finish above reigning champions Manchester City in season 2024/25.
Despite finishing as Premier League runners-up, the Gunners’ starting line-up seems to have very few weaknesses. It is hard for everybody in charge of recruitment to know where they can tweak the team’s system to make the leap from runners-up to English champions.
Some would say that the Gunners squad needs more strength in depth, as the squad players are not near the quality of the team’s starting line-up.
However, players who are likely to be good enough to challenge the current first-team players and also be content with not playing every game will be hard to find.
Some would say that the team needs better quality in the central striking role. The defence was the best in the Premier League in season 2023/24, so maybe the team can find improvements in the attacking areas of the pitch.
Germany international Kai Havertz enjoyed a decent campaign in 2023/24, playing for half a season as the main focal point of the attack. He scored ten goals and produced five assists playing as the team’s focal point.
His attacking contributions in the role were more significant than when he played in a deeper role.
Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus endured an inconsistent campaign. Out of his 27 appearances, only 17 were starts, resulting in four goals and five assists. His season was affected by injuries, though.
The other main central forward option for the Gunners was Eddie Nketiah, who scored five goals in 27 appearances, only ten of which were starts. He never seemed to have the faith of Arteta to be the main man.
What’s happening with the summer transfer dealings?
Arsenal’s business so far in the transfer market has centred on their backline. The Gunners made the no-brainer decision to make goalkeeper David Raya’s loan move from Brentford a permanent one.
The Spanish stopper kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League in season 2023/24, so it would have been a massive surprise if the club didn’t make his move permanent.
The north London club’s only other high-profile signing so far is Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who arrived from Bologna for a fee of around £42m.
At first glance, the move seems like a strange one, considering the defensive riches in the Arsenal squad.
William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a strong partnership in the centre of defence. Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior are strong central defensive options. Ben White, who has played as a full-back for much of his Arsenal career, can also play in the centre of defence.
Calafiori is a defender who likes to bring the ball out from the back, pushing his team forward from the centre-back position. The fact that he has and can play as a full-back will also have helped his forward-thinking ability.
At 22, Calafiori is at an ideal age for Arteta to build on his already excellent foundations and mould him into a player who will be integral to the team’s play.
Exits may be key to any more arrivals this summer. Homegrown pair Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah look like the closest to the Arsenal exit door this summer.
Reports suggest that Smith-Rowe could be heading for capital rivals Fulham in a deal that will initially cost the Cottagers £27m, with a possible £7m in add-ons.
Having looked like a bright prospect in his early career, Smith-Rowe hasn’t progressed as expected in recent seasons. Injury issues have played a big part in his lack of development.
At 23, he seems unlikely ever to be able to force his way back into the Gunners team on a regular basis, considering the attacking midfield options available to Mikel Arteta.
A fresh start and first-team football at a club like Fulham may be what he needs to revive his career.
Nketiah is another academy graduate the club is willing to part with this summer. He has shown signs of quality with the north London club but has never really nailed down a starting role with the Gunners.
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Similar to Smith-Rowe, the forward seems ready to move on and play first-team football elsewhere. He is 25, in the prime of his career, and can’t afford to sit on the Arsenal bench for much longer.
Reports suggest that French giants Marseille are the favourites to sign Nketiah, but the clubs are still too far apart regarding the forward’s valuation.
Gunners have an almost impossible task in season 2024/25
Everybody connected with Arsenal knows that usurping reigning champions Manchester City in season 2024/25 will be an almost impossible task.
However, head coach Mikel Arteta has already built an excellent, stylish team in north London. If he can manage to maybe add some depth, more quality attacking options, and tweak the system, then perhaps he can get the better of his old friend and mentor Pep Guardiola.
In recent seasons, Arsenal has been within touching distance of the Premier League title. They look like the most likely team to knock City off their perch. Only time will tell whether the Gunners can achieve that goal in season 2024/25.
Can Arsenal make the changes needed this summer to challenge reigning champions Manchester City in season 2024/25?