Arsenal fans have lauded the depth of their newly-enhanced squad, believing that a successful summer transfer window could tip the scales in the title race. The Gunners were notably active in the market, securing eight new signings to bolster Mikel Arteta's team.
It's been a while since Arsenal last clinched the Premier League title; their legendary Invincibles side of 2003/04 went unbeaten throughout the season under Arsene Wenger's leadership. They've secured second place for three consecutive seasons under Arteta, but there's a sense of optimism that this year might bring a different outcome.
The club welcomed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie, spending roughly £260million over the summer. Hincapie is on loan, with his £45million permanent fee deferred until next summer.
New sporting director Andrea Berta had a busy first transfer window with the club, overseeing the departure of an additional 12 senior first-team players. The significance of the new recruits has already been demonstrated this season, as injuries have plagued Arteta's squad.
Key figures such as Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba have all missed parts of the season so far. However, Arteta has been able to rely on Gyokeres, Madueke, Eze and Mosquera as substitutes without any dip in performance, reports the Mirror.
Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke has shone for Arsenal over recent weeks (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have kicked off their campaign with three victories and one loss in the Premier League whilst also launching their Champions League group stage with a 2-0 triumph over Athletic Club. The journey to the Basque region witnessed Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard proving decisive from the substitutes' bench, prompting some ecstatic reactions from supporters on Reddit.
"Genuinely the most stacked Arsenal squad. This is what we've needed in the last 3 years," one fan wrote. Another added: "I've been a fan since the late 90s and this is easily the deepest squad we've ever had.
"Been super impressed with how we've coped but if we want to win anything big we'll need Havertz, Saka, Saliba and Odegaard fit for big chunks of the season," a third noted. Another concluded: "The depth we have now is a complete game-changer. Having genuine game-winners like Martinelli and Trossard to bring on is a luxury we've never had before. It feels like we've finally closed that gap with the clubs who've had this advantage for years. This kind of squad power is exactly what wins you titles in the long run."
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Arteta was thrilled with the contribution of his replacements on Tuesday evening and stressed the significance of squad depth following the match. "That they are at least equally important, or more important. We have discussed that the finishers are going to be more important this season, sometimes more than the starters," he said.
"We can change the game there, especially with the intensity that we play, especially when the team starts to drop off, and I'm very pleased to see that. Piero comes in and plays six minutes, the first six minutes he's played, and Christian is the same. That's the attitude I want from all of us."
Arsenal's squad depth will face another stern examination when they welcome Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend. Saliba is anticipated to feature after being named amongst the substitutes on Tuesday, though Saka and Havertz remain unavailable through injury. Odegaard is expected to be in the frame for a comeback following his shoulder problem.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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