Arsenal 2025/26 Season Preview: Breaking the Ceiling or More of the Same?

For three straight seasons, Arsenal have been the nearest challengers without breaking through, finishing second each time under Mikel Arteta. In 2024/25, the Gunners once again built their title charge on the league’s best defense, conceding only 34 goals. Yet the same problem persisted: not enough high-quality chances converted into decisive wins. Fourteen draws and a lack of a consistent, ruthless goal scorer left them short in both the Premier League and Champions League, where missed opportunities cost them a place in the final.

This summer’s transfer window was about closing that gap, both in talent and mentality.

Summer Squad Evolution

Arsenal moved decisively, spending heavily on targeted upgrades. The headline arrival is Viktor Gyökeres (€65.8m from Sporting Lisbon), last season’s most prolific striker in Europe with 54 goals in all competitions. Supporting moves addressed depth and tactical flexibility:

• Martín Zubimendi (€70m) from Real Sociedad to control midfield from deep.

• Noni Madueke (€56m) from Chelsea to stretch defenses and add penetration from wide areas.

• Cristhian Mosquera (€15m) from Valencia as defensive cover.

• Christian Nørgaard (€11.6m) from Brentford as a reliable rotation midfielder.

• Kepa Arrizabalaga (€5.8m) for goalkeeping depth.

Departures — including Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu — free up wage space and streamline the squad’s profile. Crucially, Arsenal expect far more minutes from their best players this year; no outfield player hit 90% of league minutes in 2024/25, and Arteta has been clear that improved availability will allow more optimal line-ups.

Tactical Outlook

Arteta will retain the flexible 4-3-3 / 4-4-2 hybrid that has become Arsenal’s base. The defensive block remains elite, but the attacking structure is set for adjustment.

Key shifts to watch:

• More aggressive high pressing: Last season’s press lost some bite as opponents found ways to bypass it. Pre-season has shown a return to a more assertive press, with Bukayo Saka stepping higher onto centre-backs and full-backs pushing up to close gaps.

• Direct central threat: Gyökeres offers runs in behind and physical presence inside the box — a change from Kai Havertz’s tendency to drift into wide half-spaces.

• Balanced ball progression: Zubimendi’s arrival allows Declan Rice to play with more licence to join attacks, while also improving the first phase against pressure.

• Wing dynamics: Madueke brings high-volume carries and a willingness to attack the box from either flank, reducing the predictability of the Saka-heavy right-sided focus.

Key Players to Watch

Viktor Gyökeres

The most important addition. Arsenal’s xG and “great shots” numbers fell last season; Gyökeres is expected to lift both through his movement, willingness to attack central spaces, and ability to finish above expected levels. His presence also frees Havertz to return to an advanced midfield role.

Bukayo Saka

Still Arsenal’s most influential attacker. Last season he posted 12 goals and 14 assists despite fitness issues. With a true No 9 ahead of him, he should see more one-on-one situations and better finishing options for his deliveries.

Martín Zubimendi

A press-resistant pivot who can dictate tempo under pressure. His positioning and passing range should improve Arsenal’s control in games where they were previously forced into wide, low-quality delivery patterns.

Strengths

• Elite defence: Saliba, Gabriel, White, Timber, and now Mosquera form the best defensive rotation in the league. Conceding just 63 goals over the last two seasons combined speaks to world-class organisation and individual quality.

• Midfield versatility: Rice, Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Havertz, and Nørgaard offer a blend of creativity, ball-winning, and tactical adaptability.

• Squad depth and balance: Multiple options in each position, with youngsters like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Max Dowman already capable of contributing meaningful minutes.

Weaknesses

• Conversion under pressure: Even with Gyökeres, Arsenal need to prove they can score consistently against deep defensive blocks.

• Over-reliance on wide creation: If central combinations don’t click, attacks risk becoming too predictable.

• Chasing mentality: Last season’s dropped points often came from games that drifted; closing out tight matches must improve.

Fixture & Competition Outlook

Arsenal open with a balanced run of fixtures before hitting a tough autumn stretch involving Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United in quick succession. Champions League participation remains a priority, but the squad has the depth to rotate without a severe drop-off — something they lacked last year when injuries forced predictable selections.

Cup runs will be important to maintain competitive edge across the squad, though the Premier League is clearly the primary target.

The Title Race Context

Liverpool arrive as defending champions after spending over £300m to strengthen. Manchester City remain the most complete squad in the division. Chelsea’s spending continues, though their integration curve is steeper. Arsenal’s advantage lies in defensive solidity, squad cohesion, and the fact that their two biggest gaps — a clinical striker and a deep-lying controller — have been directly addressed.

The question is whether that’s enough to turn narrow draws into wins. Arsenal had the most draws in the top six last season; even a four- or five-game swing in those results could make the difference.

Projection

On paper, Arsenal enter 2025/26 with their most complete squad of the Arteta era. The defensive base is proven, the midfield now has multiple ways to control games, and the attack has gained the directness and variety it has lacked. If Gyökeres adapts quickly and Saka remains fit, the margins that have held Arsenal back could disappear.

A realistic projection:

• Premier League: Top two, with a genuine shot at the title if attacking output matches chance creation.

• Champions League: Semi-finals possible with current depth.

• Domestic cups: At least one deep run expected.

After three seasons of being the nearly team, Arsenal have both the tools and the structure to finish the job. Whether they do will come down to the quality — and frequency — of decisive moments in the final third.