Arsenal didn’t just dip into the market this summer—they reshaped the very fabric of their team. The club poured serious investment into building a group loaded with both quality and depth, ensuring Mikel Arteta now has options for every situation. The arrivals of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Cristhian Mosquera underline that intent. Piero Hincapie’s loan with a buy option adds further steel. Sporting director Andrea Berta went beyond star power; he focused on constructing a balanced squad across all areas of the pitch.
Fresh Shirts, Fresh Faces
By late August, the Arsenal’s final squad list and numbers were revealed. David Raya moved into the No. 1 jersey, while new signings slotted in with symbolic numbers of their own. Eze, Gyokeres, Nørgaard, Madueke, and Zubimendi all carry fresh digits, marking the start of their North London chapter. This wasn’t about sweeping changes for the sake of it—the spine of the team remains, but the added layers bring energy and adaptability.
🚨 Confirmed: Arsenal’s #UCL league phase squad (excluding B-list). ✅
Raya, Kepa, Setford.
Saliba, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Gabriel, Timber, Calafiori.
Ødegaard, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Merino, Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice, Dowman.
Saka, Martinelli, Gyökeres. pic.twitter.com/AtAYWW1mLp
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 3, 2025
Safe Hands in Goal
The goalkeeper department finally feels steady. Raya leads the line, Kepa offers the kind of experience that can calm nerves on European nights, and teenager Tommy Setford gets a chance to grow in elite company. It’s not just about who starts; it’s about knowing the team won’t be left exposed if rotation or injury hits. Arsenal have that reassurance now.
Defense Built to Last
At the back, the foundation is hard to ignore. Saliba and Gabriel continue as the towering pair that give the Gunners their defensive authority. But Arteta has more strings to pull. Hincapie and Mosquera bring agility and a longer-term outlook, while Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori stretch the full-back options. Myles Lewis-Skelly, still a teenager, injects fresh hunger. It’s a mix of muscle, pace, and promise—a backline designed for today and tomorrow.
Midfield Revamped and Re-energised
If Arsenal’s midfield was strong last year, it looks even sharper now. Odegaard’s creativity and Rice’s leadership form the backbone, but the new signings change the dynamic. Zubimendi offers control, Norgaard brings bite, and Eze adds flair with the ball at his feet. Merino’s versatility provides extra cover when games get tight. Then there’s the academy magic: Ethan Nwaneri, with his new contract and early flashes of brilliance, and Max Dowman, who continues to climb quickly. This unit feels like a proper blend of grit and sparkle.
Attack with Bite and Balance
Up front, the club finally has a true focal point. Gyökeres arrives with a reputation for goals and physical dominance, the kind of striker Arsenal have lacked for years. On the flanks, Saka and Martinelli remain electric, while Havertz’s flexibility and Trossard’s experience give Arteta tools for different game states. Madueke adds another edge with his dribbling and directness. No longer reliant on the same formula, Arsenal’s attack can adapt to any opponent.
A Squad Built for the Long Run
Arteta has often spoken about ambition, and this squad is proof of it. More than £200 million was spent to strengthen every key position, ensuring that rotation is no longer a gamble but a strategy. Players can shift roles, step in, and carry games without a drop in quality. For once, Arsenal don’t just have a starting XI—they have a squad capable of competing on all fronts. As one preview noted, few clubs in Europe can match this depth right now.
Author’s Insight
This version of Arsenal feels like a genuine turning point. The scattergun approach of the past has been replaced by careful, calculated decisions. Young stars such as Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly show that the club’s future is being built in real time, while the new signings strengthen the present. Veterans provide stability, youngsters bring freshness, and Arteta finally holds the tools to push beyond “nearly.” If this team clicks, the 2025–26 campaign could be remembered as the season Arsenal stopped chasing shadows and began chasing trophies with real authority.