After some early seasons filled with uninspiring finishes in the top flight, Mikel Arteta has overseen a remarkable improvement in all areas, cultivating a squad capable of challenging the best both in England and Europe.
The 2020 FA Cup remains the only major piece of silverware the Gunners have picked up under the Spaniard, but can they finally finish top of the pile in the Premier League and go further in the Champions League this season?
Here's 90min's season preview of Arsenal's 2024/25 campaign.
Arsenal's performance in the last five seasons
Considering he had a squad of ageing and overpaid stars when he replaced Unai Emery in 2019, Arteta has done brilliantly to secure progression season upon season during his stint at the Emirates Stadium.
Two eighth-place finishes were followed by fifth in 2021/22, only just missing out on Champions League qualification, but over the last two years Arsenal have established themselves as the biggest threat to City.
Season
Premier League
FA Cup
EFL Cup
Europe
2023/24
2nd
R3
R4
Champions League QF
2022/23
2nd
R4
R3
Europa League R16
2021/22
5th
R3
SF
-
2020/21
8th
R4
QF
Europa League SF
2019/20
8th
Winners
R4
Europa League R32
Arsenal 2024/25 squad numbers
Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard
Rice and Odegaard have retained their numbers / Julian Finney/GettyImages
There hasn't been too much change during the off-season regarding Arsenal's shirt numbers for the 2024/25 campaign.
New signing Riccardo Calafiori has the 33 jersey, but the sale of Emile Smith Rowe has opened a vacancy for the number 10 shirt. If a new attacker is drafted into the squad, they could claim those iconic digits.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has traded the 35 shirt for 17, the number he wears for Ukraine. The versatile full-back has succeeded Cedric Soares following the veteran defender's exit earlier this summer.
Number
Player
1
Aaron Ramsdale
2
William Saliba
3
Kieran Tierney
4
Benjamin White
5
Thomas Partey
6
Gabriel Magalhaes
7
Bukayo Saka
8
Martin Odegaard
Gabriel Jesus
11
Gabriel Martinelli
12
Jurrien Timber
14
Eddie Nketiah
15
Jakub Kiwior
17
Oleksandr Zinchenko
18
Takehiro Tomiyasu
19
Leandro Trossard
20
Jorginho
21
Fabio Vieira
22
David Raya
24
Reiss Nelson
29
Kai Havertz
31
Karl Hein
33
Riccardo Calafiori
41
Declan Rice
*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
Arsenal summer transfers
In
Player
Joined From
Fee
Riccardo Calafiori
Bologna
£42m
David Raya
Brentford
£27m
Tommy Setford
Ajax
£842,000
Lucas Nygaard
FC Nordsjaelland
Undisclosed
Out
Player
Club Joined
Fee
Emile Smith Rowe
Fulham
£34m
Mika Biereth
Sturm Graz
£4m
Nuno Tavares
Lazio
Loan deal
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Sevilla
Loan deal
Mohamed Elneny
Al Jazira
Free transfer
Amario Cozier-Duberry
Brighton
Free transfer
Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham
Free transfer
Cedric Soares
Released
Free transfer
Arsenal 2024/25 kits
Arsenal's home shirt features a noticeable change in terms of design, removing the full shield crest and replacing it with the club's trademark cannon. A red base is accompanied by white panels on the side and shoulders; the latter of which feature adidas' striking three stripes.
The away kit was a collaboration between Arsenal and British African group Labrum London, featuring a black base and vibrant red, green and white markings for the club's badge and other sponsors. African patterns also flow from the armpit down the sides and onto the shorts.
Home kit
Arsenal released their new home kit in May / Arsenal FC / adidas
Away kit
Arsenal's away kit dropped in July / Arsenal FC / adidas
Third kit
Arsenal predicted top goalscorer
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is continuously improving in the final third / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages
There's been no dominant force in the Arsenal scoring charts over the past couple of seasons, with the Gunners boasting an array of regular scorers.
Bukayo Saka can be relied upon for a double-digit haul, while Gabriel Martinelli was prolific two seasons ago. Both Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz were productive to end 2023/24.
Gabriel Jesus has shown glimpses in pre-season that he may be returning to his spriteliest form, but the Brazilian is unlikely to top Arsenal's scoring charts given his inefficiency in front of goal. Saka, on the contrary, continues to develop in the final third and should he again avoid a lengthy absence, the winger is poised to once again enjoy a prosperous scoring campaign.
Jesus could get the nod up top and force Havertz into a midfield role, but the German will be expected to play frequently in the frontline and his emergence last season stands him in good stead for year two. Expect Havertz to challenge Saka for leading scorer honours, and we could see captain Martin Odegaard replicate his scoring figures from 2022/23 (15 Premier League goals) with the club's summer arrivals potentially alleviating his build-up responsibilities.
Arsenal predicted Premier League finish
The Gunners have the mere task of leapfrogging Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to claim their first league title since the Invincibles of 2003/04. Arteta's men have pushed the Cityzens in back-to-back campaigns, and they'll surely be there or thereabouts in 2024/25.
Arsenal will control the vast majority of their matches and remain capable of blowing teams away through secure possession play and supreme work without the ball. Their stout core remains intact, and we shouldn't expect any sort of drop-off with Arteta well aware of the potential for stagnation. The Spaniard will continue to subtly evolve his side tactically, but can they improve on last season's stellar performance?
The club has worked quietly in the summer window, with Arteta's strong starting XI required just a couple more pieces to finish the jigsaw. However, as it stands, Arsenal lack the devastating forward talent to usurp City and claim their crown. They'll once again be the closest competitors at the summit, but the league title will continue to elude them.
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