The Gunners have come really close to tasting Premier League glory in the past couple of seasons but for Pep Guardiola’s indomitable Manchester City proving to be an unbeatable opponent in both the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 campaigns.
Arsenal have looked like a really solid side under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons and the feeling around North London will be that they just need a couple more additions to their current squad to provide depth and elevate them to the level where they can finally end their 20-year league title drought.
Soccernet.football takes a look at Arsenal’s potential starting XI for the 2024/2025 campaign if Arteta manages to get in all of his summer transfer targets.
David Raya (GK)
The Spaniard’s impressive performances between the sticks for the Gunners while on loan from Brentford last season have earned him a permanent move to the North London side ahead of the coming season. Having exercised their option to sign the 28-year-old after his loan spell, it only stands to reason that Raya is a major part of Arteta’s plans for the new campaign.
Benjamin White (RB)
Naturally a center-back, White was often deployed at right-back last season by Arteta and the Englishman slotted into his new role with relative ease. With Arsenal seemingly making no move in the market to secure a new right-back, we expect to see the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender hold down his place in that position come the new season. Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are other potential options for this position.
Gabriel Saliba (CB)
Saliba formed one half of the best defensive pairing in the Premier League last season alongside Gabriel Magalhães and the Frenchman will definitely be keeping his place in Arteta’s back four when the new season commences.
Gabriel Magalhães (CB)
The Brazilian seemed to be out of favour at the Emirates at the start of last season following the arrival of Timber from Ajax. However, Gabriel got his opportunity to re-establish himself at the heart of Arsenal’s defense and he took the chance with a plum, going on to become one of the Gunners’ most outstanding players. Barring a drop in his levels, he should be retaining his place in the team come the new season.
Ricardo Calafiori (LB)
One of the stars of Bologna’s incredible 2023/2024 Serie A campaign, the 22-year-old went on to impress at the European Championships despite Italy’s disappointing outing at the tournament. Calafiori is a natural center-back but he often featured at the left hand side of Thiago Motta’s back four at Bologna where he also excelled. Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £42m transfer fee to sign the Italian.
Martin Zubimendi (CM)
The Real Sociedad star has been a long term target for the Gunners and it looks likely that a move could materialize this summer. Zubimendi could provide Arsenal with greater control in games, playing as a lone holding midfielder while Declan Rice is deployed further forward to do more damage in the opposition half. However, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to secure the Euro 2024 winner’s signature.
Declan Rice (CM)
After making light of his hefty price tag last season with his performances for the Gunners, Rice went on to impress at the European Championships with England as they went all the way to the final. The 25-year-old will certainly be one of the first names in Arteta’s starting lineup in the coming season.
Martin Odegaard (CAM)
The Arsenal skipper has grown into a creative monster at the Emirates and is currently one of the most important assets at Arteta’s disposal, undoubtedly crucial to the way the Gunners play their football. As long as the Norwegian is fit and available to play, his involvement in Arsenal’s starting XI is absolutely guaranteed.
Bukayo Saka (RW)
Saka has built a reputation for himself as one of the most consistent and reliable members of the Arsenal squad, thanks to his performances over the last few seasons. The 22-year-old winger played huge roles for Arsenal and England in the 2023/2024 season and European Championships respectively. Come the start of the new season, Saka should definitely be occupying that right flank.
Nico Williams (LW)
Following his fantastic showing at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, the 21-year-old has become one of the most wanted players on the transfer market with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal and PSG all said to be interested in his signature. His addition to Arsenal’s attack would definitely be a game changer for Arteta but the possibility of getting a deal done this summer is looking rather slim as Spanish giants Barcelona seem to be edging closer to securing the winger’s signature.
Victor Gyokeres (CF)
Perhaps the area where Arsenal need to reinforce the most, Arteta’s side definitely need an out and out striker heading into the new season, having had to make do with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz upfront last season. Gyokeres could potentially be their solution in that department as the former Coventry striker netted 43 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting CP last season. However, his £85m asking price may complicate a potential move to the Emirates.