Arsenal embark on another campaign in which supporters will once again hope to see the very best from this squad, with the pressure firmly on Mikel Arteta to finally deliver silverware.
Throughout the summer, the online football community has mocked Arsenal with repeated jibes about the prospect of finishing second for a third consecutive season. While, on paper, a runners-up position is no shame, with the majority of Premier League clubs gladly trading places, the inability to take that final step has cast lingering doubts over Mikel Arteta’s capacity to get Arsenal over the line.
It is, after all, nearly six years since this project began, and close to a billion pounds has been spent on new signings. Yet, the lack of major trophies during that period offers both rival fans and sceptical Arsenal supporters every reason to question the manager’s credentials. Every setback is dissected in forensic detail.
Strangely, Arteta has not received due recognition after steering Arsenal to another second-place finish last season despite a daunting injury crisis. These fitness setbacks deprived Arsenal of key players for prolonged periods and forced constant chopping and changing, disrupting rhythm, balance and momentum, all essential ingredients for any title challenge.
Nonetheless, Arteta guided his side to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and secured second place in the Premier League, all while relying on Mikel Merino in an auxiliary striker role for much of the campaign’s second half.
The absences of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Magalhaes, along with the periodic absence of Riccardo Calafiori, further underlined the difficulties. The glaring weakness, however, was the lack of a clinical striker, a shortcoming Arsenal worked to address during the summer transfer window.
Whether last season’s hardships warrant greater appreciation for Arteta remains open to debate. What is certain is that, with the new campaign fast approaching and significant reinforcements secured, the key question persists: are Arsenal ready to challenge again?
The pressure is truly on Mikel Arteta
The pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong provided promising signs early on, only for momentum to falter with a narrow defeat to Tottenham in a match that stirred uncomfortable memories of last season’s blunt performances. That theme continued with a lacklustre showing against Villarreal, where cohesion was again absent.
However, Arsenal responded emphatically in their final warm-up fixture, dismantling Athletic Club 3-0. Mikel Arteta fielded his strongest available lineup, and Arsenal delivered a performance befitting the scoreline, offering a timely injection of belief ahead of their daunting Premier League opener at Old Trafford. Except for Leandro Trossard, who is currently sidelined amid uncertainty over his future, the squad enters the season fit and in high spirits.
The headline could not be clearer: Arsenal are ready. Arteta now commands a squad boasting diverse player profiles, including a new striker, winger and midfielder, enabling a more direct attacking style. A fit squad also grants him the flexibility to navigate the demands of a long season, adapting tactics to suit the opponent and the game state. This time, there will be no excuses.
No matter the mitigating circumstances of the last campaign, the reality is that the pressure on Mikel Arteta has never been greater over the course of his time as Arsenal boss. Supporters largely acknowledge the transformation under his tenure, from the squad rebuild and greater resilience in big matches to the consistency in challenging for major honours, but patience is wearing thin. The Emirates is hungry for silverware.
Modern football is unforgiving, amplified by the intensity of social media, where every misstep is magnified. Having been genuine contenders for three successive years, any poor result will invite fierce scrutiny. Arteta must now manage every match, every moment, and every goal, for and against, with precision.
This is arguably the most under-pressure he has been entering a season in his managerial career. Lessons from past disappointments must now be applied. For Arsenal’s talismanic young squad and Mikel Arteta himself, the time has surely come to deliver.
Have Arsenal and Mikel Arterta addressed their Squad issues?
Last season, many pundits suggested that Arsenal’s primary requirement was a new striker. The club responded emphatically by signing the prolific Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres. However, as the summer has unfolded and analysis has deepened, it has become apparent that Arsenal’s needs extended beyond the addition of a striker.
The rise of academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri has enabled Arsenal to reconsider their approach to two positions: left-back and attacking midfield, with both players earmarked as long-term solutions in these roles. Despite this, Arsenal remain interested in Eberechi Eze and a new left-winger, leaving open the possibility of further additions before the transfer window closes.
Nevertheless, most observers agree that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have largely resolved their principal squad issues through astute activity in the market. The arrival of Gyokeres has understandably generated excitement among the fans, while the acquisition of Martin Zubimendi represents shrewd business.
The Spaniard’s qualities afford Mikel Arteta greater tactical versatility, promising a faster, more direct style of play that has already begun to materialise in pre-season. Noni Madueke’s signing has prompted debate among supporters, but his age, profile, and fee suggest excellent value. Early glimpses in pre-season have highlighted the tactical flexibility and attacking fluidity Arteta intends to introduce, leveraging Madueke’s attributes.
The additions of Christian Nprgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kepa Arrizabalaga further strengthen core areas, providing depth Arsenal sorely lacked last term. Taken together, this transfer window could be deemed a resounding success, leaving Arteta with a squad well-equipped to compete on all fronts.
Season Prediction
While Arsenal cannot yet be branded as outright favourites for the Premier League, Mikel Arteta and his charges are firmly among the contenders, alongside Liverpool, Manchester City, and potentially Chelsea, based on squad strength and depth.
If Arteta can better manage his squad with judicious rotations and adapt to particular fixtures, the Gunners have every chance of mounting a genuine title challenge. After finishing second three seasons running, the team has developed the mentality and resilience to push for ultimate success.
There is the element of the natural ageing process, alongside the careful grooming of players, with the aim of ensuring longevity as well as optimal physical and mental conditioning, something Arteta and his coaching staff may well have achieved here. This is a team that has fought countless battles, winning many, yet falling short of ultimate glory on three occasions. They will have learned from those experiences and now appear ready and determined to finally deliver.
Despite the scrutiny Arteta faces, he has appeared composed during the early part of pre-season. Arsenal’s title credentials will be scrutinised in the first six matches, and if they emerge strongly, there is every possibility that they could be recognised as favourites as the campaign progresses.