Arsenal have proven to be a very good team in the Premier League over the past few seasons. However, they haven't quite been able to get across the line and win anything, finishing second in each of the past three campaigns.
Last season, their biggest issues was quite probably (and quite simply) a lack of depth. Injuries to key players across the season, such as Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, left them wanting in attack when it mattered most.
As such, the brief this summer is fairly simple in theory. Add more depth to both raise the floor of the squad and provide a little more star power for Mikel Arteta to call upon throughout 2025/26.
The good news for Arsenal is that the club appear to be moving swiftly towards this summer's goal. While no transfers have officially been confirmed by the club as of yet, several deals appear to be all but finalised. Indeed, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Christian Norgaard can almost certainly be considered part of the squad going forward.
With those arrivals in mind, and a few more exciting transfers being strongly linked, Arteta could field a formidable starting XI in 2025/26. Not only that, but if all of the key realistic targets arrive, the Gunners could name a second string of impressive quality too.
Arsenal's A Team
Gyokeres and Rodrygo to boost the attack
Arsenal's 2025/26 predicted A team line up
At the back, in the first team at least, there is little reason for Arteta to tweak things. After all, David Raya has won the Golden Glove in his two seasons at Arsenal, and with that formidable duo of Gabriel and William Saliba in front of him, more clean sheets can be expected.
Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also emerged as brilliant fullback options, capable of delivering the goods both in and out of possession, and contributing to the attack while remaining solid in their defensive actions.
The first real change next season will be in midfield. Jorginho has left and Thomas Partey also appears to be heading for the exit door, so a new midfielder was a priority for the Gunners. This explains why Zubimendi has been identified as a key target.
That deal looks set to be announced any minute now. The Spaniard plays like Jorginho, just a little more youthful and energetic, so he should slot in well alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, who have long-established themselves as key pillars within the team.
Up front is where the real change can be seen. For quite some time, additions have been needed, and it looks as though Arteta is set to finally upgrade his striker. Many Arsenal fans may prefer the younger option of Benjamin Sesko – and a deal may yet happen for the Slovenian – but Viktor Gyokeres could be a more appealing option for one key reason: price.
Indeed, Sesko will cost more in a transfer fee, and his wage demands are reportedly higher than what the Swedish striker wants. If Arsenal go for the cheaper option, this could open the door for another big arrival in attack.
The number one priority right now appears to be Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. The finances of that deal will be astronomical, with £100m fees and £300,000 wages being touted, so a cheaper move for Gyokeres could be the only way to bring two brilliant attackers to the Emirates this summer.
Rodrygo's statistics for Real Madrid this season
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Arsenal's B Team
Kepa and Norgaard lift the floor with Premier League experience
Arsenal's 2025/26 predicted B team line up
After the injury issues of last season, Arteta will be desperate for depth. In this scenario, he could afford to lose all 11 members of his starting team and still field a very strong XI.
In goal, Arsenal have upgraded their backup option with Neto's loan spell coming to an end and Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga arriving at the bargain price of just £5m. His Premier League experience bodes well for the Gunners, should Raya come out of the team for any reason.
In defence, they can name four players who would have a decent shot at making most of starting XI's across the English top-flight. There's every chance that fullbacks Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White end up being first-choice options for the Gunners too.
At the very least, they provide great depth. Both men can play in the middle or on the flanks, and the same can be said of Jakub Kiwior – who stepped up admirably when Gabriel was injured last term. Takehiro Tomiyasu has not been able to stay fit, and concerns over the Japan international explain the links to Jorrel Hato, which would strengthen that part of the pitch even more. However, it seems as though the Gunners are closer to a deal for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Mikel Merino was forced to play as a striker last season but will likely be relieved to drop back into his preferred midfield position. At 29, he is one of the more experienced members of the team, but will be helped on that front by the arrival of Brentford captain Norgaard.
Although not the most exciting transfer of the summer, the 31-year-old has performed to a high standard in the Premier League for a number of years and should bring a certain level of consistency to the team. Jorginho was a fine servant but looked well past his best last season, so Norgaard's arrival should be a cost-effective way of refreshing that spot in the squad.
In terms of youth, the wonderfully talented Ethan Nwaneri will bring plenty of goal threat as an alternative to Odegaard, having scored nine goals last term. He can also provide depth on the flanks and will be an example to follow for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who has been given the 99 squad number (which suggests he could get some senior minutes too).
Finally, all three attackers – Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard – have started plenty of important games for Arsenal in the past, and should not be ruled out of the first-choice team, regardless of any summer arrivals. Havertz, for example, may well start the season as the preferred number nine while Gyokeres (or Sesko) settles in, and the same can be said of Martinelli – who recently started for Brazil at left-wing ahead of Rodrygo. Trossard will also challenge for a spot, having proven his value to the team time and time again. At the very least, all three will be fantastic options off the bench for the club going forward.
All that fails to mention Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who may also play a part for the team next season, although the former is currently out injured and the latter is likely to be sold.