After trusting the process for a few years, Arsenal were genuine title contenders last season, Man City overtaking them only in the last few rounds. With a few key signings, Arteta’s men are looking very strong again. The team will need to find even more rythm if they want to challenge City again though.
Transfers
Arrivals
| Declan Rice | Defensive Midfielder | 24 | England | West Ham | €116.60m |
| Kai Havertz | Attacking Midfielder | 24 | Germany | Chelsea | €75.00m |
| Jurrien Timber | Centre-Back | 22 | Netherlands | Ajax | €40.00m |
| David Raya | Goalkeeper | 27 | Spain | Brentford | Loan* |
Arteta got Declan Rice, his main target. While Rice will be the defensive midfielder for the team, another new signing, Havertz started the season as left central mid. He cost 75 million from Chelsea. Arsenal also strengthened the defense, signing Timber a centre back who can also play left back and a new goalkeeper, Spanish international David Raya.
Notable departures
| Folarin Balogun | Centre-Forward | 22 | USA | Monaco | €30.00m |
| Granit Xhaka | Defensive Midfielder | 30 | Switzerland | B. Leverkusen | €15.00m |
| Matt Turner | Goalkeeper | 29 | USA | Nottm Forest | €8.15m |
| Auston Trusty | Centre-Back | 24 | USA | Sheff Utd | €5.80m |
| Pablo Mari | Centre-Back | 29 | Spain | Monza | €4.90m |
| Kieran Tierney | Left-Back | 26 | Scotland | Real Sociedad | Loan |
| Rob Holding | Centre-Back | 27 | England | Crystal Palace | €1.20m |
| Nuno Tavares | Left-Back | 23 | Portugal | Nottm Forest | Loan |
| Nicolas Pepe | Right Winger | 28 | Cote d’Ivoire | Trabzonspor | Free |
Quite a few departures, but apart from Granit Xhaka, no key players left. The Swiss international has played a key part for the Gunners over the years, but will now try his luck in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen. Young American attacker Balogun joined Monaco, while 3 centre backs also left the team: Trusty, Mari and Rob Holding. Nicolas Pepe, having previously joined for €75m, now leaves to Turkey on a free.
Squad
| 1 | GK | ENG | Aaron Ramsdale |
| 2 | DF | FRA | William Saliba |
| 4 | DF | ENG | Ben White |
| 5 | MF | GHA | Thomas Partey |
| 6 | DF | BRA | Gabriel Magalhães |
| 7 | FW | ENG | Bukayo Saka |
| 8 | MF | NOR | Martin Ødegaard (captain) |
| 9 | FW | BRA | Gabriel Jesus |
| 10 | MF | ENG | Emile Smith Rowe |
| 11 | FW | BRA | Gabriel Martinelli |
| 12 | DF | NED | Jurriën Timber |
| 14 | FW | ENG | Eddie Nketiah |
| 15 | DF | POL | Jakub Kiwior |
| 17 | DF | POR | Cédric Soares |
| 18 | DF | JPN | Takehiro Tomiyasu |
| 19 | FW | BEL | Leandro Trossard |
| 20 | MF | ITA | Jorginho |
| 21 | MF | POR | Fábio Vieira |
| 22 | GK | ESP | David Raya (on loan from Brentford) |
| 24 | FW | ENG | Reiss Nelson |
| 25 | MF | EGY | Mohamed Elneny |
| 29 | MF | GER | Kai Havertz |
| 31 | GK | EST | Karl Hein |
| 35 | DF | UKR | Oleksandr Zinchenko |
| 41 | MF | ENG | Declan Rice |
Very nice and balanced squad with more than one quality player for every position. Some of the defenders like Kiwior, Ben White, Timber or Zinchenko can play more than one position, which adds a lot of unpredictability to the squad. Even Thomas Partey can play at RB. Important to note that Jurrien Timber is out for a prolonged period of time.
There is enough depth in midfield as well, with the likes of Rice, Jorginho, Partey offering a lot of stability, while Odegaard, Havertz, Fabio Vieira or Smith Rowe offering a lot of creativity. In attack Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus offer options, while Trossard can basically play in every position.
This depth is more than welcome, as the Gunners are back in the Champions League this season.
Possible Starting 11
For now, Ramsdale has been Arteta’s pick to start in goal. The main back line seems to consist of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko, however we have seen quite a few combinations here, from Partey starting at right back, to Kiwior starting at left back.
Odegaard, the captain of the team has cemented himself at right central midfield, while Rice plays in a central defensive role. Havertz is the LCM for now, however his performances have drawn critisism. In attack, Saka is one of the best right wingers in the world, Martinelli is a starter at LW, while Jesus starts at ST when fit.