It was another season that promised so much before faltering once entering the so-called business end.
You can forgive Arsenal supporters for having a sense of déjà vu after seeing their side eliminated from the domestic cups early on, only to finish second in the Premier League. But unlike the previous two seasons, Mikel Arteta’s side did not force a final-day shootout or have everything in their hands.
Naturally, going five consecutive seasons without silverware (we’re not counting the Community Shield, with all due respect) has placed increased pressure on Arteta to deliver, considering Arsenal’s rivals have parted with coaches who have brought trophies to those respective clubs.
Last summer saw money splashed on recruiting Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, while making David Raya’s temporary stay permanent. It’s expected to be another busy pre-season, with Kieran Tierney and Jorginho already exiting, the former rejoining his boyhood team Celtic.
Now, the question is who stays and who goes? By utilising our Squawka Score system, we’ve identified the five worst-performing players in their positions and whether the Gunners need to make upgrades.
NB: Only players with at least 500 minutes across a minimum of 19 appearances last season are considered.
1. David Raya – 54%
From the get-go, we’re not suggesting Arsenal need to upgrade David Raya, who ended another Premier League campaign with the Golden Glove and, in doing so, joins compatriots Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson as back-to-back winners. But it’s fair to say this was a below-par season compared to his previous one; to start with, he kept three fewer clean sheets and conceded ten more goals.
Raya also found himself in the 20th percentile of Premier League goalkeepers in terms of saves per 90 and in the 95th percentile regarding errors leading to shots or goals. It may be the case that Arsenal should recruit a backup capable of giving the Spaniard competition, thus keeping him on his toes.
Squawka’s verdict: Keep
2. Myles Lewis-Skelly – 54%
This is undoubtedly a work in progress, given that Myles Lewis-Skelly doesn’t turn 19 until September, and it’s a testament to the fact that he’s come into an Arsenal team with many expectations placed on him and has more often than not looked comfortable. But there’s the development factor, and the three-time-capped England international will go through phases where his form drops, and that’s when Arteta will need to take him out of the firing line.
Right now, that left-back berth belongs to him, with Tierney departing and Oleksandr Zinchenko (65%) likely to follow him, with the Ukrainian linked with AC Milan. He proved hard to beat, with a 72.97% ground duel success rate, placing him in the 95th percentile among Premier League left-backs; however, there is room for improvement.
Lewis-Skelly is in the 20th percentile in terms of expected assists, interceptions, and big chances created, while also performing below par in tackles won and clearances completed per 90 minutes. Discipline will be another area where Lewis-Skelly needs to improve, as he has picked up two red cards in his first 23 league appearances.
Squawka’s verdict: Keep
3. Mikel Merino – 58%
Towards the end of his first season with Arsenal, Mikel Merino was tasked with leading their line as a “false nine,” and to his credit, the Euro 2024 winner performed admirably. But it doesn’t change the fact that not having a marquee number nine came to bite the Gunners.
That being said, Merino predominantly featured in central midfield—where he shone regarding goals from open play per 90, which placed him in the 95th percentile among Premier League central midfielders. But on the opposite end of the spectrum were his interceptions, take-ons completed, final third entries, and possession won in the middle third per 90—though he seldom started games and would often come off the bench.
It feels like Merino will settle into a utility role, plugging in whenever needed, and would not make Arteta’s first eleven when everyone is available. These squad players are needed when battling on multiple fronts in a long season. In today’s market, you would be hard-pressed to find someone more capable of operating in the middle third or up front when needed.
Squawka’s verdict: Keep
4. William Saliba – 60%
An interesting name when you consider his status; many at one point placed him alongside or above Virgil van Dijk when discussing the Premier League’s best central defender. That can now be said of his partner, Gabriel Magalhães, who finished the season with Arsenal’s second-highest Squawka Score (75%), behind only Bukayo Saka (77%), with Saliba’s placement highlighting how far he’s been playing from his usual standard.
Usually competent in the air, he posted a 62% aerial duel success rate, placing him in the 40th-60th percentile among Premier League centre-backs, while performing below par when it came to interceptions, errors leading to shots, possession won in the defensive third, and blocked shots per 90 minutes.
Saliba’s current deal expires in June 2027, and despite constant links with Real Madrid, there is no suggestion that a departure will be made this summer. The hope is that this season was nothing more than a blip; you only have to see what was written about Van Dijk before he roared to another indomitable year, proving indeed that form is temporary.
Squawka’s verdict: Keep
5. Gabriel Jesus – 63%
Before a damaging cruciate knee injury ended Gabriel Jesus’ season, the former Manchester City forward wasn’t exactly pulling up any trees with three goals across 17 league outings. As touched upon, not having a serviceable number nine really came to haunt Arsenal, with this area being one that supporters desperately want filled. Kai Havertz (65%), who also missed a chunk of 2024-25 due to injury, began as the Gunners’ first-choice centre-forward, and though he did a reasonable job, it’s fair to say the experiment should now be over, with neither he nor Jesus filling that role.
Squawka’s verdict: Sell