Over the past four seasons, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have spent 539 nights at the top of the Premier League. They have yet to lift that Premier League trophy.
For reference, were you to consider that span of time sequentially and scale backwards, you would see that Joe Biden was still the president of the United States, and the Three Lions were still reeling from their second successive Euros final defeat against Spain, and Thomas Tuchel had been appointed two weeks before.
Arsenal are a brilliant football team, and Arteta has worked wonders in lifting the Gunners up and out of the darkness, into the bright arena of Champions League once again. Arsenal are not competitors but title challengers, and they are two games away from reaching the European final in Budapest.
Mikel Arteta's Premier League Journey at Arsenal
Season
25/26
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
19/20*
*Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery in December 2019
Arteta's side have everything to play for, but looking at the longer stretch, improvements need to be made, both in the centre of the park
and up top.
Arsenal targeting mega-money midfielder
Arsenal have been knocked off top spot in the Premier League after last week's defeat at Manchester City, but the title race is still in the balance, Pep and his protege neck and neck.
Arsenal have left something to be desired in attack this season, but they have also lacked something in midfield. Martin Zubimendi, for example, has looked tired and leggy in recent weeks, and Arteta's refusal to play Christian Norsgaard is creating a conundrum.
That's why Arsenal need to sign Elliot Anderson ahead of their rivals. According to Sky Sports, Man City are leading the race for the Nottingham Forest star, but Arsenal and Manchester United are also in the mix.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest
The 23-year-old has been exceptional this season, and Forest know that they have a star on their hands, pricing Anderson at £100m. He is contracted to the City Ground until 2029, so the ball is in their court.
It would be quite the statement signing, and considering the factors within, it could be a repeat of the deal that saw Declan Rice welcomed to the Emirates.
Why Anderson could be Arsenal's next Rice
The similarities are almost eerie. Anderson was discarded by Newcastle United and made his own name at Nottingham Forest. There he still performs, with his efforts in the Midlands leading Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel to describe him as one of the best in the business.
Also described as "one of the best midfield players in the Premier League" by pundit Jamie Carragher, Anderson would be a fantastic addition for any top team worth their salt, and Arsenal could forge an imperious partnership by getting the deal over the line.
Rice, after all, was coveted by Manchester City in the build-up to his record-breaking £105m move from West Ham United to Arsenal, draping the curtain on his career under David Moyes, nurtured from foundling to phenom, winning the Conference League in 2023.
Anderson could replicate that, with Forest awaiting Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Premier League Comparison (25/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Possession lost*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
Rice is unreal, truly exceptional in the middle of park. He is a natural-born leader, and Anderson is too, so the two in confluence could make an almighty difference for an Arsenal side who only need a little nudge to establish themselves as superstars.
Andrea Berta oversaw a productive summer transfer window in 2025, but Anderson would take the cake as the Spaniard's star signing, should he arrive ahead of the new campaign.
England players huddle
Rice and Anderson have already formed a strong partnership for Thomas Tuchel's England, and at Arsenal, that bond would only strengthen, potentially making all the difference in the pursuit of major silverware over the coming years.
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