Mikel Arteta is facing a monumental 2025/26 campaign at Arsenal.
The Gunners have finished runners-up in the Premier League for three consecutive years, and despite Manchester City falling way off the pace last season, they couldn’t mount a serious challenge against eventual winners Liverpool.
Nevertheless, Arsenal should be commended for their work in improving the side throughout the summer transfer window, and most notably, addressing long-term problems at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyokeres is expected to be “key” for the Gunners this season after the 27-year-old was identified as the man to end the club’s striker woes and was subsequently acquired in a £55 million deal with Sporting CP.
Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal vs Manchester United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
However, among the plethora of star-studded names arriving at the Emirates this summer, Arsenal have been named title favourites and expectedly so, as Arteta approaches an eye-watering landmark in North London.
Arsenal spending approaches the £1bn mark after Eberechi Eze transfer
TBR Football exclusively revealed that Arsenal have agreed to sign Eberechi Eze in a deal worth approximately £68 million after hijacking Tottenham’s pursuit of the player.
Eze had looked destined for Tottenham, but the long-term injury sustained by Kai Havertz forced Arsenal into reigniting their interest in the England international.
Now, Valuball, an X account in collaboration with football finance expert Kieran Maguire, has revealed that Eze’s signing has pushed Arsenal’s spend since Arteta took charge agonisingly close to the £1 billion mark – £997m, to be exact.
Arsenal have averaged a transfer spend of £165m per summer under the Spaniard, including seven signings exceeding £50m.
And the spending could very well continue at the Emirates to ensure the Gunners surpass the landmark, as TBR Football understands Arsenal are monitoring Rodrygo’s situation at Real Madrid and are expected to rival Man City should the Brazilian push for an exit.
Mikel Arteta has to deliver silverware at Arsenal
Although Man City’s spend under Pep Guardiola is approximately £1.66bn according to Valuball, their average spend per season almost mirrors Arsenal’s at £168m.
However, Guardiola has translated the spending into success, winning 13 major honours in England, including six Premier League titles and, of course, the Champions League.
Whereas Arteta has managed only a single FA Cup win in 2020, and while the supporters are undoubtedly grateful for the Spaniard and all the work he has done over the years in restoring Arsenal to title contention, it is time to deliver.
Riccardo Calafiori believes the Gunners’ new signings could be the answer to end their five-year trophy drought, and only time will tell whether the Italian is bang on the money.