Arsenal 2025-26 Preview: Five Big Questions Before the New Season

Three years, three title challenges, and three runner-up finishes. Arsenal come into the 2025-26 Premier League campaign determined to finally break the cycle and lift a major trophy. The Emirates is buzzing with hope, the summer transfer business is complete, and Mikel Arteta knows this could be the defining year of his tenure.

Over the past few seasons, Arsenal have become one of the most consistent teams in Europe. They are disciplined, tactically organised, and incredibly hard to beat. Yet the ultimate prize has eluded them. In both the Premier League and Champions League, they have been close but not quite close enough. Now, with significant investment in key areas, the question is whether the final pieces have been put in place.

Do Arsenal Finally Have the Goalscorer They Have Been Missing?:

Many supporters have long argued that a reliable 20-goal-a-season striker was the missing ingredient. Arteta resisted that temptation last summer, choosing instead to work with what he had. It was a gamble that did not pay off. Arsenal once again lacked a ruthless finisher when it mattered most, and Liverpool pulled away in the final months of the title race.

This year, there was no hesitation. The club spent big to bring in Viktor Gyökeres, one of the most prolific forwards in Europe over the last two seasons. At Sporting CP, the Swedish striker scored 97 goals in 102 games, including 68 in 66 league appearances, and added 17 assists. His record in the Champions League was also impressive, with six goals in eight matches last season.

The big test will be how quickly Gyökeres adapts to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He has never played in one of Europe’s top five leagues, but his numbers suggest a natural instinct for finding the net. If he hits the ground running, Arsenal’s attack could have a completely new dimension. Yet his arrival also means a reshuffle. Kai Havertz, whose pressing and movement are vital even if his scoring record is modest, may lose his place.

Should Arsenal Attack More to Win the Title?:

Since their surprise title challenge in 2022-23, Arsenal have shifted from chaos and relentless pressing to control and defensive strength. They have conceded fewer goals than any other Premier League side in the last two seasons, which is an achievement in itself. However, recent champions have all been among the highest-scoring sides in the league. Liverpool’s title last year came on the back of 14 more goals than any other team. Manchester City won the year before after scoring 96.

Arsenal, in contrast, scored just 69 goals last season, barely more than Tottenham, who finished 17th. A large portion of those goals came from set-pieces — 15 in total, with only three teams scoring more from dead-ball situations. Set-pieces accounted for 27.4 percent of Arsenal’s expected goals, the sixth-highest rate in the league. While fans enjoy their dominance from corners, this reliance shows that Arsenal are not creating enough from open play.

The statistics confirm it. Arsenal ranked seventh in expected goals from open play, with just 43.1, behind Tottenham and only slightly ahead of Manchester United. Liverpool’s total was a massive 66.2. In several games last season, Arsenal sat deep and protected leads, especially after going down to 10 men. This cautious approach may have cost them vital points. They drew 14 league matches, second only to Everton, and in nine of those draws they had been leading. A more aggressive approach might have turned some of those into wins.

Can They Solve the Mid-Table Puzzle?:

Arsenal were outstanding against the league’s best and the bottom sides, winning all their matches against the bottom five and having the second-best record in the top-six mini-league. But their results against mid-table teams were far less convincing. They won just six of 18 matches against sides finishing between seventh and fifteenth, and did not manage to beat any of them twice in the same season.

This weakness effectively cost them the title. Against mid-table opposition, they won only 33.3 percent of their matches, while against all other teams they won 70 percent. With the added depth provided by this summer’s signings, Arsenal must find a way to turn those tight mid-table games into three points.

Is This the Season Saka Reaches Elite Numbers?:

Bukayo Saka is already considered one of the Premier League’s best, but his attacking output has room to grow. After hitting 25 goal involvements in two consecutive seasons, his numbers dropped to 16 last year, largely due to injury problems. At 24, Saka still has time on his side. For comparison, Mohamed Salah had yet to become a superstar at that age.

Saka’s goals and assists per 90 minutes have steadily improved, reaching a career-best 0.83 last season. With Noni Madueke now able to share the workload on the right flank, Saka can be rotated more effectively and kept fresh for the most important games. If he remains injury-free, this could be the season he pushes past 30 goal involvements for the first time.

Does Arteta Need a Trophy This Year?:

Since taking over, Arteta has guided Arsenal from back-to-back eighth-place finishes to genuine title contenders. His tactical evolution of the team has been remarkable. However, the only silverware he has won remains the FA Cup in 2020, with a squad that no longer exists.

Many believe it is time for tangible success. With the quality of the current squad and the money spent, expectations are higher than ever. While another strong league campaign would be welcomed, failing to lift a trophy could lead some to question whether Arteta can take Arsenal to the final step.

IN ALL,

The Emirates is ready. The squad is strong. The summer business has addressed weaknesses that have been discussed for years. Now it is about execution. Whether it is the league, the Champions League, or a domestic cup, Arsenal have the tools to win. What remains to be seen is whether they have the mentality to finally turn potential into triumph.