The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend with a full schedule of fixtures running from Friday to Monday. Arsenal are involved in the pick of the games when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday. Here we look ahead to what will be a pivotal season for Mikel Arteta and his side.
Prospects
After three successive second-place finishes, Arsenal have firmly rejoined the elite group at the top of division. All that remains is the hardest part: to make the final leap and become champions for the first time since 2003.
The squad-building and cultural shift under Arteta has been highly impressive, and having bolstered their midfield with Martin Zubimendi and their attack with Viktor Gyokeres, they have added quality rather than quantity. These are signings that should move the needle and it will be interesting to see if they go back into the market for a left winger. Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze has been linked throughout the summer, while Real Madrid's Rodrygo is said to be their dream signing in that position. The Gunners may need to sell before they can fund another marquee signing.
After a surprise title tilt in 2022/23, Arsenal have transitioned towards being a defensively secure side that seeks to control. That has come at the cost of their attacking output with them only mustering 69 goals last season – 17 fewer than champions Liverpool and just five more than 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal might have posted the division's stingiest defensive record in each of the past two seasons but their attacking numbers must improve if they are to finally make good on their undoubted promise. Only once in the past eight seasons has the team scoring the most goals not been Premier League champions. The arrival of Gyokeres should help that, but keeping Bukayo Saka fit all season will arguably be even more vital. The England international's absence was keenly felt through the middle section of last season.
A potent attack in full swing ahead of a midfield of Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard and Arsenal's now tried and tested defensive unit sounds like a team that can amass 90 points and go very close.
Last five finishes
2024/25: 2nd
2023/24: 2nd
2022/23: 2nd
2021/22: 5th
2020/21: 8th
First five fixtures
August 17: Manchester United (A)
August 23: Leeds United (H)
August 31: Liverpool (A)
September 13: Nottingham Forest (H)
September 21: Manchester City (H)
The manager
Mikel Arteta: A solitary FA Cup victory, sealed just months after being appointed in 2020, is scant reward for the Spaniard's commendable work at the Emirates Stadium. However, while there is ample evidence of progress, Arteta is in danger of being cast as a 'nearly man'.
Last season it was a lack of depth that cost him, with Arteta rarely able to call upon his strongest XI. However, with key areas of weakness addressed in the summer, it feels like a big opportunity to finally deliver. Ultimately, Arteta will be judged on silverware and so far he has been unable to make that final step.
Star signing
Viktor Gyokeres: English football's punditry class will need a new sound bite to exhaust after the Gunners finally signed the recognised No9 they have been crying out for. For all of Arsenal's stylish play it can feel as though they have to work really hard for their goals. Kai Havertz brings a lot to the team, especially out of possession, but this signing will add a new dimension to the Arsenal attack.
Having the added firepower of a natural goalscorer will help the Gunners ease away from the sides they should be beating, lessening their reliance on set pieces or the individual brilliance of Saka to get results. Those games against mid-ranking sides have proved tricky in the past but Gyokeres' goals should make the difference.
The 27-year-old Sweden international is statistically the most prolific forward in Europe across the past two seasons, having scored 97 goals in 102 games during his stint with Sporting in Portugal. He scored 68 in 66 Primeira Liga games in that time, also chipping in with 17 assists.
Key player
Bukayo Saka: The difference Saka makes to the team was emphasised in his absence last season when he missed three and a half months with a hamstring injury. The Gunners were three points shy of leaders Liverpool when Saka picked up his injury in December but 12 points adrift when he returned in April. And, as good as Saka has been, it feels like, fitness permitting, there is still another level he can reach. This could be that year.
Hot prospect
Ethan Nwaneri: Nwaneri made history when he became the youngest player ever to appear in the Premier League aged 15 years and 181 days against Brentford in September 2022.
Since then the attacking midfielder has kicked on, making 37 appearances and scoring nine goals in all competitions during a breakthrough 2024/25 campaign.
He then capped a fine season by helping the England Under-21s defend their European Championship crown in Slovakia over the summer.
All of this was recognised when he signed a new five-year contract which will keep him at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2030.
More than ever, the Premier League is a squad game and he will get plenty of opportunities to showcase his immense talent in the new season.
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
On Women's Day
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Neighbourhood Watch
More from this story
The five pillars of Islam
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
While you're here...
More from Sholto Byrnes
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
Riders must be 14-years-old or over
Wear a protective helmet
Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
Do not drive outside designated lanes
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5