It could be truthful to say that this season was an actual slog for Arsenal and their followers.
Mikel Arteta’s facet got here into the marketing campaign with the categorical intention of successful the Premier League on the third time of attempting, however as everyone knows, it wasn’t to be.
As a substitute, the North Londoners needed to take care of quite a few weird sending-offs, then a cascade of accidents and a basic lack of leading edge all through the facet.
Issues can solely get higher subsequent season, proper? Nicely, whereas it is not possible to make certain, the Gunners can definitely assist their trigger and eventually recover from the road subsequent yr by going out and making an actual splash within the switch market this summer season.
Luckily, whereas the membership are but to formally announce any new additions, there have been loads of hyperlinks, and it isn’t too troublesome to work out what Arteta’s dream lineup for the beginning of the 25/26 season might appear like.
1
GK – David Raya
Whereas there was discuss of a brand new goalkeeper signing this summer season, it will be astounding if it wasn’t David Raya who began between the sticks on the primary day of the 25/26 season.
The Spaniard received his second Golden Glove in successive seasons final week and has greater than cemented his place in Arteta’s squad, thanks partially to his good agility and reflexes, which have seen him pull off greater than his fair proportion of doubles saves this yr.
2
RB – Jurrien Timber
We come to our first place, which might be up for debate, as each Ben White and Jurrien Timber carry totally different qualities to the right-back place.
Nevertheless, as long as the latter has recovered from his latest surgical procedure in time, we reckon he’ll preserve his place within the beginning lineup, because the solidity and tenacity he provides there’s essential to the workforce’s good defensive report.
3
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
The primary centre-back within the workforce is one other participant who missed the top of this season as a result of surgical procedure: Gabriel Magalhaes.
The membership are hopeful he’ll be again to full health for the beginning of subsequent season, and if that is the case, we can’t see anybody beginning forward of him, because the Brazilian worldwide was very good for many of this yr.
On prime of his spectacular potential to get on the top of set-pieces, the “completely unstoppable” colossus, as expertise scout Jacek Kulig described him, is a rock on the again.
4
CB – William Saliba
Partnering Gabriel on the again shall be none apart from the unimaginable William Saliba.
The French worldwide has now made 134 appearances for the North Londoners, 100 of which have come within the Premier League, and whereas he wasn’t fairly at his finest this season, his immense expertise and potential is simple.
5
LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly
The ultimate defender within the beginning lineup is the outrageously gifted Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Now, there’s definitely an argument that it might and maybe ought to be Riccardo Calafiori, however the Hale Ender has come on leaps and bounds since making his debut final yr, and he appears to be like to have cemented himself within the supervisor’s most well-liked lineup.
It is easy to see why as effectively, as on prime of being far sting and extra defensively safe than any 18-year-old academy prospect has any proper to be, the teen can also be an actual outlet, and as we noticed towards Manchester Metropolis, has an eye fixed for purpose.
6
DM – Martin Zubimendi
We have made it to the primary new face within the workforce: Martin Zubimendi.
The Spanish worldwide, who is ready to price the membership round £51m, may not formally be an Arsenal participant simply but, but it surely’s been fairly extensively reported that he is a medical away from all of it being confirmed.
It is easy to see why Arteta and Co have been so eager to signal the 26-year-old as effectively, as he is bought an abundance of expertise marshalling the midfield for Actual Sociedad.
Furthermore, he was dubbed one of many “finest central midfielders on the earth” by Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente about seven months earlier than he helped the nation win their fourth European Championships towards England.
7
CM – Declan Rice
Beginning simply forward of Zubimendi within the left-eight shall be Arsenal’s £105m man, Declan Rice.
The previous West Ham United captain might need began this season somewhat slowly, however after Christmas, he was frankly very good.
He really introduced himself on the largest stage towards Actual Madrid within the Champions League, scoring two sensational free-kicks within the first leg after which placing in a midfield masterclass away within the second.
8
CM – Martin Odegaard
Probably the most attacking of the midfield three shall be Martin Odegaard.
It is undoubtedly true that the membership captain’s return of six objectives and 12 assists in 45 video games this yr has been severely underwhelming, but it surely’s additionally true that he is been the workforce’s participant of the yr twice since becoming a member of on a everlasting deal in August 2021.
Due to this fact, there’s each probability that following a summer season of relaxation, the midfield maestro might be again to his mercurial finest for the beginning of subsequent season.
9
RW – Bukayo Saka
Was it ever going to be anybody else?
Beginning off the best for Arsenal subsequent season, and certain for a lot of seasons after, shall be Bukayo Saka.
The Hale Finish icon is undoubtedly the membership’s most vital and finest participant, and he as soon as once more confirmed us that this season.
For instance, despite the fact that he missed over three months of soccer as a result of a hamstring damage and surgical procedure, the “legend within the making,” as dubbed by Kulig, racked up an excellent haul of 12 objectives and 14 assists in 2619 minutes throughout 37 appearances.
Saka’s 24/25 | |
|---|---|
Appearances | 37 |
Minutes | 2619′ |
Objectives | 12 |
Assists | 14 |
Aim Involvements per Match | 0.70 |
Minutes per Aim Involvement | 100.73′ |
All Stats through Transfermarkt | |
Meaning the talismanic winger averaged a purpose involvement each 1.42 video games, or each 100.73 minutes for the workforce this season.
10
LW – Rodrygo
We come to the second and arguably most formidable signing within the workforce: Rodrygo.
The Actual Madrid celebrity, whom journalist Sam Tighe described as “terrifyingly good,” misplaced his assured beginning spot within the Spanish capital this season and, as such, has been touted for a transfer away, with Arsenal being one of many extra distinguished locations.
It might find yourself costing the Gunners round £85m to get executed, however given his good report of 118 purpose involvements in 267 video games for the membership, he’d be greater than well worth the outlay.
Furthermore, with two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles beneath his belt, the 24-year-old would carry a critical successful mentality to N5.
