After another year of progress last season, can Arsenal get over the line and end their wait for a Premier League title?
Premier League Season Preview 2024/25 – Arsenal
Last season: 2nd
Title odds: 13/8
TFF prediction: 1st
Transfers
In: David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Tommy Setford, Lucas Nygaard
Out: Emile Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares, Arthur Okonkwo, Albert Sambi Lokonga (loan), Nuno Tavares (loan).
Arsenal’s upwards trajectory under Mikel Arteta continued last season as the Gunners finished second in the Premier League for the second successive season.
After back-to-back title challenges, Arsenal will be aiming to go one better in 2024/25 and end the club’s 21-year wait for league title success. Fears the North Londoners would struggle to match the previous season’s league performance with the additional work-load of Champions League football were ended emphatically, as Arsenal took the title race to the final weekend of the Premier League campaign.
The underlying numbers bode well for another title challenge. Last season, Arsenal comfortably had the fewest goals conceded (28), the lowest Expected Goals Against (32.85) figure and the lowest number of open-play goals conceded (16).
Their league-leading defence has been bolstered by the £42m arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, a hybrid centre-back/full-back who helped Bologna to Champions League qualification last season. The 22-year-old’s flexibility, pace and presence will continue Arteta’s move to the tactical trend of deploying four central defenders across his backline.
(1) new message from our latest debutant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YeD7PlW1JI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024
At the opposite end, Arsenal led the Premier League for set-piece goals (excluding penalties) with a whopping 20 scored in 2023/24. Their delivery from set-pieces was a huge weapon and should expand their avenues to goal again this time around.
In terms of transfers, Mikel Merino looks set to be added to the midfield group after helping Spain to success at Euro 2024 in the summer, while there’s interest in adding a wide player and centre-forward to the ranks before the deadline.
Kai Havertz deputised impressively at number nine last season but a more recognised goalscorer could be sought to complement the German and Gabriel Jesus.
The onus on Arsenal will be proving that this team has the mentality to go the distance after near misses in recent campaigns. The core of Arteta’s group is young and improving and there’s an argument that Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba have not yet reached their peak.
Arsenal have been the second-best side in the Premier League over the last two seasons and had the fourth-youngest team in the division last season. The potential and promise of this team is obvious, as the Gunners look to end Manchester City’s dominance of the division and oversee a changing of the guard.
Key player: William Saliba
Arsenal’s spine has no shortage of contenders for this status with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard each essential to their hopes this season. However, Arsenal’s progress has been built on a solid foundation with the introduction of William Saliba to the side coinciding with consecutive seasons as the division’s best defence.
Though Mikel Arteta has depth in his defence, there’s arguably no natural replacement for Saliba who has progressed rapidly to a level where he is now one of world football’s finest centre-backs.
Lift-off in the Emirates Cup ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Q6XHpcmH3j
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024
One to watch: Riccardo Calafiori
The marquee arrival of the summer transfer window so far, Riccardo Calafiori’s breakout season at Bologna has earned the Italian a £42m transfer to the Premier League. A key part of the club’s shock Champions League qualification, the 22-year-old has broken into the Italy side and now takes a step up at club level. Able to operate centrally and at full-back, Calafiori combines athleticism with ease in possession.
