In each of the past four seasons, Arsenal have improved on their final points total from the one before and in the most recent two, that has taken them close to a first Premier League title since 2003-04 with a pair of runners-up finishes. They fell only two points short of Manchester City ’s haul of 91 in May, but with the reigning champions again expected to be the team to beat when 2024-25 kicks off this weekend, the question is whether manager Mikel Arteta’s side can go again and be the first team in the Premier League era to increase their final points tally for five straight seasons. Will they do it? Have they done enough in the transfer market to catch City? And are there any areas for concern going into Saturday’s opening match at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and the final two weeks of the summer window? Our Arsenal writers Amy Lawrence, Art de Roche, James McNicholas and Jordan Campbell look ahead.
.. With two days to go, how are the excitement levels? Amy: If you can’t be excited ahead of a new season, there is something seriously wrong.
The anticipation is mixed with a dash of nervousness, however. The past couple of seasons have heightened expectations and with that comes pressure — the first three Premier League away days ( Aston Villa , Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City) bring a serious test from the off. Advertisement James: Excitement mixed with trepidation, particularly given those tricky away days.
The past two seasons have shown that every point is precious in a title challenge. The race starts in August! Art: I have to say Amy’s right here. After all the international tournaments and pre-season friendlies, I’m ready for the real stuff to start all over again.
I haven’t thought about what happens at the end of the season just yet, though — I just want to see Arsenal play the beautiful game again. Jordan: Buzzing for my first Emirates lunch. Oh, the football? Keen to see what surprises Mikel Arteta has up his sleeve but pretty relaxed.
I don’t think anyone is heading into this season with doubts about whether Arsenal will maintain their level. They are reliable, know exactly what they are and somehow, look as energised as ever. GO DEEPER The Debate: Arsenal or Aston Villa - which club's fans should be most excited? Have Arsenal done enough in the transfer window? Amy: Not yet.
The defensive depth looks very sound, but ideally, Player X in midfield and Player Y in attack, to bring strength and options, will appear before it closes (on August 30). James: I don’t think so. I’d agree that a midfielder and forward are needed to round out the squad.
One potential cause for encouragement is that unlike last summer and the sale of Granit Xhaka , Arsenal have retained all the major components of the preceding season’s title push. They ought to be able to hit the ground running. Jordan: They are not far away, but I still think the left-side No 8 and left-wing position could be improved.
Settling on Declan Rice as one or the other — a six or an eight — and bringing in a ready-made starter, such as Mikel Merino , to complement him would leave me satisfied. GO DEEPER The Transfer DealSheet: Arsenal goalkeeper latest and Vinicius Jr to Saudi? What is your biggest area of concern? Amy: Keeping all of their best players fit all season long. Arsenal did have some luck there last term with William Saliba , Gabriel , Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka — those who are most difficult to replace — being close to ever-present.
James: I have a nagging worry over the No 6 position. I’m not convinced a combination of Thomas Partey and Jorginho is enough for a part of the pitch where Manchester City have the imperious Rodri . That could change, of course, if Rice is redeployed in a deeper role.
Advertisement Art: Personally, it feels like Arsenal could do with someone who provides not just cover but real pace and trickery out wide to further support Saka and Gabriel Martinelli . Fabio Vieira starting off the right in the friendly against Bayer Leverkusen didn’t fill many with confidence, while Reiss Nelson was not given many opportunities last season. GO DEEPER Arsenal season preview: Timber's return, the promise of youth and aiming for 90-plus points What really excites you about this season? Amy: Being competitive.
As a lover of football, having a team to believe in — and with aims to aspire to — is a wonder. It is not a guarantee and it takes tremendous effort across the club, so when it happens it is mad not to enjoy the ride. James: Having watched him in pre-season last summer, I was really excited to see what Jurrien Timber might bring to the Premier League.
Losing him to injury for almost the whole season on the opening weekend was a cruel blow. It might seem strange to say of a full-back without an obvious role in the first team, but I think he is a player with the potential to help take Arsenal to a new level. Art: I’m hoping a new layer of excitement comes in the shape of opportunities for academy players such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly and if that happens, I will be more than happy.
Also, I can’t wait to see Odegaard with the ball at his feet again. Which player has the biggest point to prove? Amy: Perhaps Martinelli. Him losing his mojo last season was frustrating and it was a situation Leandro Trossard seized, but the pace he offers is such a great outlet.
He is determined to regain form and greater end-product from him will certainly help Arsenal’s cause. James: I’ll go with the other Brazilian looking to recapture his best form: Gabriel Jesus . He has looked considerably sharper in pre-season and Arteta says he has returned to training with renewed motivation and vigour.
Let’s hope so. A fit and firing Jesus would be a huge boost to this squad. Jordan: Oleksandr Zinchenko .
A player whose poise and imagination helped transform Arsenal into title challengers when he arrived two years ago, but whose weaknesses were pounced upon last season. Though he is no longer a guaranteed starter, pre-season was a reminder of how his playmaking can smooth out some of the team’s rougher edges. What can Arteta do better this season? Amy: It will take a brave person to tell him! His super-sized determination to do everything possible to win is a fundamental quality.
If one aspect merits a bit more attention, it is the domestic cups. Winning something is important and they offer a route Arsenal could attack more seriously. James: Furthermore, it would be great if he could balance being competitive in those cups with blooding the occasional academy player.
A nice straightforward ask then: win the cup competitions while granting young players opportunities. Should be a doddle. Advertisement Art: Alongside these asks, more willingness to go with the flow could help, as opposed to trying to stick to plan A.
He showed this during the second half of last season, seen in the use of Kai Havertz and Trossard, and a continuation of that could help Arsenal grow even more. Jordan: Prevent a single loss from becoming a mini-crisis. Two years ago, he couldn’t arrest the decline at the end of the season, but squad depth and injuries were factors.
Last year, that December run of one win in five league games proved costly. Identifying and eradicating whatever seems to create that collective doubt is key. Title win aside, what one thing would you like to see this season? Amy: Outside of Arsenal, a satisfactory conclusion to Manchester City’s 115 charges would be appreciated.
Inside, apart from another title challenge, a long run in the Champions League , with some memorable European nights thrown in, would be lovely. James: I’d like to see Arteta’s contract sorted swiftly to help Arsenal sustain their challenge in the longer term. Title or no title, this has been a really positive period for the club and he has been at the heart of that.
Art: It would be great for Arsenal to have a big away win in the Champions League. Their return to the competition last year having not been involved since 2017 was enjoyable, but a win at the home of an elite European side would be great for the belief of everyone affiliated with the club. Especially as it’s been a while since the last one.
Jordan: I want to see Nwaneri really break through — and by that, I mean making double-figure starts. The past two years have given him the time to adjust and understand what is required to live in Arteta’s world, but he is special. There is the space for him to make regular appearances and start in the cup competitions if Arteta is willing to move the 17-year-old ahead of Vieira in the hierarchy.
And finally, the big one...
Will Arsenal win the league? Amy: Lord knows, but they will give it another ambitious go and we can’t ask for more than that. James: I’m not answering that, sorry! But if they don’t, and City do, it will be five successive title wins for Pep Guardiola’s team — and surely time for some serious soul-searching about the true competitiveness of this league. GO DEEPER Premier League preview: Our writers predict what will happen in 2024-25 Art: Even though I haven’t allowed myself to think that far ahead, I’ll say yes.
Teams don’t fluke two successive second-placed finishes. Hopefully, the third title race is the charm. Jordan: I said yes to this one last season, only to realise that it is stupid to bet against City at this point.
So I’m going to employ reverse psychology and say no, they won’t, but they will clear the 90-point barrier. We’ll see if that is enough..
. (Top photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images).
