After a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England, Arsenal have a unique opportunity to go back to back.

The Gunners may not thrill with a style of football centred around defensive solidity and set-piece excellence but they were deserving winners in 2025/26 as Mikel Arteta justified the club’s decision to stick with him despite several near misses.

Arteta is now the longest-serving manager in the top flight and will start his seventh season in charge with a home game against newly promoted Coventry on August 21.

His longevity provides a stability not seen in the majority of Arsenal’s title rivals with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all starting the season with new men at the helm.

That’s not to say it has been a perfect summer for the red half of North London. The chance to make a statement signing in Vinicius Jr came and went with the winger opting to remain at Real Madrid. Had the Brazilian swapped the Santiago Bernabeu for the Emirates, it would have been the ultimate indication of Arsenal’s ambition to become the best side in Europe.

You could argue they came close last term, reaching the Champions League final, but a dreadfully timid display in losing to Paris Saint-Germain illustrated a lack of belief that they can cut it with the continent’s elite.

They could find a route to European success blocked once again with PSG’s young side looking seemingly invincible but matters should be more straightforward domestically.

Arsenal go into the season as favourites and with some justification, although you could make a case they will start the 2026/27 campaign weaker than they finished the last one.

France international, and defensive lynchpin, William Saliba is sidelined for an indefinite period with a back problem, meaning his formidable partnership with Gabriel will be put on hold.

Leandro Trossard has also departed. The Belgian was an unsung hero of the title triumph, scoring vital goals at important times, none more so than his late strike at West Ham in May.

Christos Tzolis is his replacement and, while he has made a good early impression, he is likely to require a period of adaptation from the Belgian Pro League to the physicality of the English top flight.

Bruno Guimaraes has joined from Newcastle but it’s debatable as to whether he strengthens their best XI. He seems more likely to be used as Declan Rice’s replacement when the England international needs a break.

Summer Ins and Outs

IN

Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle – £75m

Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen – £45m

Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge – £34m

Illan Meslier – free agent

OUT

Leandro Trossard to Besiktas – £15.3m

Christian Norgaard to Everton – £7m

Jakub Kiwior to Porto – £14.7m

Karl Hein to Werder Bremen – £2.5m

What do Arsenal need before the window closes?

Defensive cover is still required with the long-term availability of Saliba unknown. Arsenal have been linked with John Stones and Ezri Konsa but the former has now joined Inter Milan. Cristhian Mosquera, Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori can all play in the centre but none bring the same physical qualities as Saliba.

Another left-winger may also be on Arteta’s shortlist given the failed pursuit of Vinicius Jr. 

There will likely be several departures with Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson all seemingly surplus to requirements.

One to watch at Arsenal

We think this could be the season that Viktor Gyokeres proves he is a 25-goal-a-season striker in the Premier League but the one to watch has to be Max Dowman.

The 16-year-old made fleeting appearances last season but that was enough to mark him out as a star of the future. A pathway to the first-team is not straightforward with England duo Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke both operating in his preferred right-wing slot but that will enable Arteta to introduce him carefully.

Despite his tender years, Dowman has the ability to be a match-changer and he will undoubtedly make his mark over the coming months.

Prediction for Arsenal in the 2025/26 Premier League

It’s difficult to disagree with the bookies: Arsenal are the favourites and for good reason. They could arguably have done more to bolster their squad this summer but their sense of familiarity in the dugout and on the pitch makes them the team to beat.

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