It is almost perfect for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal that 25 players made Premier League appearances for them last season. That is, after all, the size of the listed senior squad.
There are ways to add more players, such as using Under-21s, who do not count towards the limit, but it is a round number often used by clubs when compiling things before a campaign and over the summer. The issue for Arsenal is that only 22 of those played more than once, with three not starting a single game.
A strong 15 managed to play over 1,000 minutes, whilst nine clocked more than 2,000. Injuries ultimately limited how much Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz could manage. The same is true for Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori.
Ethan Nwaneri also managed almost 1,000 in his breakthrough season after starting as a 17-year-old. Myles Lewis Skelly ended with an impressive 15 starts and 1,400 minutes.
The question now for Arteta is how does he balance out the squad with more quality and depth this summer? It is clear to see where improvements are needed from Andrea Berta as sporting director but less simple to get it done.
Here, football.london takes a look at the squad composition with no more than 17 non-homegrown players included in a maximum of 25 players over the age of 21.
Goalkeepers
David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga
This looks set to be a pretty straightforward case of one in and one out for Arsenal. Neto leaves at the end of his loan and Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to come in.
He has a £5million release clause in his Chelsea contract which was extended last year and has played backup to goalkeepers in Champions League wins at Real Madrid and Stamford Bridge. Although Kepa has struggled historically with facing shots from distance, he enjoyed a fine year at Bournemouth and is comfortable with his feet.
Arsenal can then use young duo Tommy Setford and Jack Porter if needed as third choice. They could look to bring in another experienced goalkeeper in the mould of Marcus Bettinelli or Scott Carson to bolster the homegrown calibre.
With Joan Garcia heading to Barcelona, Arsenal will save money on their No.2 and hope to invest it smartly elsewhere.
Defenders
Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Marc Guehi, Jurrien Timber
This has been an area of change at Arsenal with a rotating cast of left-sided players from Oleksandr Zinchenko to Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior. Lewis-Skelly has come in and made the left-back spot his own and is an Under-21.
The question for Arsenal is how to add backup to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Anyone signed will be clearly behind both but more depth is surely needed.
Kiwior did prove himself well at the end of the season but there are questions over his future. He is useful and happy to be a fringe player. If Arsenal were to receive an offer for the Polish international then persuing Marc Guehi, who is out of contract in 12 months, would be a wise decision.
He has Premier League experience, fills a homegrown spot, and can play on both the right and left side. Sales of Zinchenko, Kiwior, and possibly Takehiro Tomiyasu would go some way to funding Guehi. The real issue is if there is enough cover.
Should White, Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber stay fit then there is versatility in the middle and at full-back, keeping things settled and competitive.
Midfielders
Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino
This might be another case of minimal change for Arsenal, but only if Thomas Partey extends his contract. The club have just over two weeks to negotiate that with him whilst reports of talks with clubs elsewhere have started to trickle out.
Jorginho has already left, moving back to Brazil to join Flamengo. He was only a bit-part player and will be replaced by Martin Zubimendi when he signs.
That deal is not in doubt, no matter what the Spanish media try to suggest. The big worry will be if Arsenal have to go into the market again to find another midfielder to accommodate for Partey's potential exit.
Even with Nwaneri ready to play more and Max Dowman set for a promotion into the senior group, Arsenal do need a way to take the responsibility away from Declan Rice. Zubimendi will partially do that but the pair cannot expect to be the only players in a pivot if Partey goes.
It makes the coming negotiations over a new contract all the more crucial.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - MAY 04: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad warms up prior to the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club at Reale Arena on May 04, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
Attackers
Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Rodrygo, Benjamin Sesko, Morgan Rogers
This is where things get interesting and busy for Arsenal. Most of the attention is being placed on how they recruit in attack. A striker and winger will come, but who, how many, and what about the rest?
The current direction of travel is towards Benjamin Sesko. He is the flavour of the day after scoring another 13 Bundesliga goals in a second season in Germany. That's 27 across two seasons and a steadily growing portfolio.
Arsenal appear to prefer that to Viktor Gyokeres' haul at Sporting CP in a weaker league. It is a decision based on ceiling, price, and potential development. On that front, Sesko seems to be their man.
That will make him an immediate competitor and supporter of Havertz. Two strikers might be enough for Arsenal but is there a role for Gabriel Jesus? He will first have to recover from injury and see where he is at, so a summer sale is not likely, but his long-term future must be considered.
Jesus has ben out of form and struggling for consistent fitness for almost two years now. Should an offer come in then it would have to be considered. The same might go for Leandro Trossard, who has played an incredibly useful role but tends to struggle from the start of games and is approaching a key point with regards to his contract.
Interest from Saudi Arabia has been there in the past. If Arsenal were to sell one of him or Jesus, it might help them make two attacking signings including Sesko.
Rodrygo and Rafael Leao are among the wideman targets. Nico Williams is a name that just will not go away either. Morgan Rogers and Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins are certainly of interest too. Eberechi Eze has long been on the club's radar.
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have both been linked with moves to Arsenal
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have both been linked with moves to Arsenal (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
It really is a toss up between which way Arsenal want to go with most of them. Rodrygo, Leao, and Williams are the natural wingers whilst Rogers and Eze operate more centrally. They all offer something slightly different but equally as enticing for Arsenal.
If we take Rogers, who would be homegrown, then that is the eight for Arsenal, allowing them to pick a full 25 players. However, given the sales and Under-21s strength, Arsenal may not need to use all of the slots. That does give some room to keep a player like Jesus or Kiwior for added depth, though, which is no bad thing.
**Dream Arsenal 25-man Premier League after transfers:**David Raya*, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White*, William Saliba*, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Marc Guehi*, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice*, Mikel Merino, Bukayo Saka*, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli*, Leandro Trossard, Rodrygo, Benjamin Sesko, Morgan Rogers*.
Under-21s players: Tommy Setford, Jack Porter, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman.
*Homegrown