Arsenal are crossing all their fingers that this will finally be the year that they end their Premier League title drought. And they could son have the squad they need to battle with Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Gunners have always been criticised for their lack of elite goalscorer. It’s often said to be the difference separating them from their biggest rivals. And Arsenal look to be remedying that, reportedly closing in on a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. The lethal Sweden striker scored 54 goals in 52 games across all competitions last season.
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Arsenal should be in a position of strength if they add a reliable goalscorer to the team. They’ve already bolstered the squad with quality midfielders in Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. And they’ve recently confirmed the signing of winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
In fact, the new arrivals should give Arsenal quality options across the board — especially with more time to make further signings before the end of the transfer window. There should be plenty of depth in the squad to allow the Gunners to challenge on all fronts and land the trophy they crave.
So, how will Arsenal line-up this season if they get all their new dream signings in? And what kind of teams could we expect to see when Arteta rotates his side?
First-choice
There’s no doubt that David Raya is the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Arsenal. The arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga won’t change that. But the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper provides real quality and should help keep his countryman on his toes.
Benjamin White has looked solid at right-back and will be keen to get back down to business this season after missing much of 2024-25 due to a crippling knee injury. On the other side, Myles Lewis-Skelly looks to have claimed the main left-back slot from Riccardo Calafiori. The Englishman emerged as one of Arsenal’s brightest talents last season.
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Gabriel and William Saliba have formed one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in the Premier League. That was reflected by Arsenal conceding the fewest goals in the top flight last season with just 34.
Declan Rice is a mainstay in the midfielder after excelling last season. The £100m man enjoyed arguably his best campaign in an Arsenal shirt, capping it off with two stunning free kicks against Real Madrid. And he should be paired with new £60m signing Zubimendi.
Captain Martin Odegaard should be the No.10, with Bukayo Saka retaining his spot on the right wing. But Madueke will bring a rotational option. On the left is a dream signing, with Eberechi Eze heavily linked with Arsenal this summer.
Gyokeres easily walks into the team as starting striker. The Gunners were left without a recognised No.9 last season, so the presence of the Swede would lift a huge burden off the team.
Enviable backup
This lineup shows the sheer quality of Arsenal’s strength in depth. It could be one that Arteta turns to in competitions like the Champions League or FA Cup when the team is stretched.
Arsenal’s new recruits give them at least two or three top players fighting for each position. And the competitiveness is the key for success. We’ve already seen Liverpool having virtually two quality lineups to choose from and that’s why they won the Premier League.
Arsenal have a top class goalkeeper in Kepa Arizzabalaga to choose from as a backup option. They also have someone as good as Jurrien Timber to call upon at right-back — but the Dutchman can also fill in at centre-back when needed too. Jakub Kiwior showed his superb ability and readiness to tackle any situation when called upon at centre-back.
Meanwhile, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko are both able to play at centre and left-back, giving Arsenal even more options to pick from.
The £12m signing of Norgaard from Brentford gives Arsenal a ready-made Premier League star who knows the league well. Not to mention one who has demonstrated his ability at a high level. Norgaard is the perfect replacement for both Jorginho and Thomas Partey after they left on free transfers.
And Arsenal fans won’t forget they still have Mikel Merino, who will gratefully return to his usual role in midfield after being forced to play as a makeshift striker at the end of last season.
New signing Madueke would play on the right in this lineup, with Kai Havertz in his preferred No.10 role next to Gabriel Martinelli.
Up and coming teenage star Ethan Nwaneri can play anywhere cross the front four in truth. But in this case he would play as the leading forward after showing his ruthless streak in front of goal last season.
Cup bullies
This lineup stretches the team’s resources slightly and would only be used in extreme cases. Or possibly in an early Carabao Cup or FA Cup round against an inferior opponent. When it’s just about resting tired legs and giving out opportunities to fringe stars.
But Arsenal’s third team still has quality running through it. Even if the defence hasn’t been able to change much aside from having youngster Tommy Setford in goal. That might point to Arteta looking to buy one or two more backup defenders to ensure there is enough depth. The right side of their defence is a particular issue.
At the moment, Arsenal could field a midfield of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira. Lokonga has spent the past two-and-a-half seasons on loan, while Vieira was at Porto last year on a temporary basis.
Arteta might opt to hand a chance to Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman next season after emerging as the next big thing coming out of the club’s academy. But we have to remember he is just 15 and the Spanish boss won’t want to rush his development. However, we’ve seen with Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
Reiss Nelson is an option to play on the right wing, though he has been linked with a return to Fulham on loan. And Arsenal’s strength in depth on the flanks is so good that Leandro Trossard only makes the third team.
Up front you could have Gabriel Jesus, who joined Arsenal for £50m in 2022 and has shown that on his day he can be a very useful forward for the team.
