Arsenal head into the 2024/25 Premier League season as one of the favourites for the title.
By Sam McGuire
The Gunners, once again, lost out to Manchester City last term but with more reinforcements reportedly on the way, Mikel Arteta could well end Arsenal’s two-decade title drought.
What happened last season?
The Gunners racked up an impressive 89 points in the English top-flight, a haul that was enough to win Man City the title during the 2022/23 campaign. However, it wasn’t enough this time around and Arteta’s side lost out by two points. They, comfortably, had the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding just 29 times and keeping 18 clean sheets, while only the eventual champions (96) could better their return of 91 goals.
Following the turn of the year, Arsenal won 16 of their 18 matches. They dropped points to Manchester City in a 0-0 draw and lost 2-0 to Aston Villa. They were almost perfect in 2024 but still couldn’t topple Pep Guardiola’s relentless, all-conquering side.
Arteta’s men showed that they had the mental fortitude to go for the title. There was no late-season collapse. The blip in December, three defeats in five matches, probably cost them the league. But they will have learned from this experience.
Bukayo Saka finished as the top scorer having found the back of the net on 16 occasions in all competitions. The Gunners had three players finish with double digits, with Kai Havertz (13) and Leandro Trossard (12) joining Saka.
The England international was the pick of the bunch for Arsenal having also racked up nine assists to finish with an average FotMob rating of 7.97. Only club captain Martin Ødegaard (10) could boast more assists.
What has happened during the summer?
David Raya arrived on a permanent basis from Brentford after impressing between the sticks last season while on loan. He kept Aaron Ramsdale on the bench and the decision to bring him to the club, after much debate, proved to be a masterstroke.
The in-demand Riccardo Calafiori signed for the Gunners after the Premier League club agreed a fee with Bologna. The Italian, who performed well as the Euros should bolster an already impervious backline while his versatility should provide Arteta with some options.
Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a midfielder. The name being mentioned right now is former Newcastle United man Mikel Merino. The 28-year-old impressed for Spain at Euro 2024 and should add some depth to the middle third area of the team.
An attacker is reportedly wanted, with Benjamin Šeško targeted earlier in the summer, but there’s nothing concrete on that front just yet. To offset some of these arrivals, Emile Smith Rowe has transferred to fellow London club Fulham after a bid in the region of £35million was accepted.
What they should be aiming for next season?
Another title challenge is the bare minimum, isn’t it? After years of investment and backing, Arteta will soon have to deliver. And while they might ultimately miss out to Manchester City, a 90-point season is probably the aim for the Gunners.
The approach should be to go for that and see where you end up.
Prediction: Second
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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