By Jake Ventham.

As the 23/24 premier league season comes to a close, Arsenal has just missed out on their first premier league title in 20 years. Now looking into next season Arsenal needs to plan out how they will be more consistent and win more games to hopefully challenge for another premier league title and maybe even set their eyes on the Champions league trophy. 

Overview of the season: 

Arsenal finished 2^nd place by just 2 points making the 23/24 season Arsenal’s best season in recent history. 2024 was by far its most impressive period, as it only lost 1 game in the premier league against Aston Villa. 

Arsenal’s defensive record  

Arsenal has had the best defensive record this season, and it only looks like it will get better for next season with Jurrien Timber coming back from injury. Arsenal’s defensive plaudits usually all go to William Saliba however, this season most avid Arsenal watchers would argue that Gabriel Maghaeles has been on par with William Saliba, quality-wise.  

Arsenal’s full backs this season have changed throughout, stemming from the injuries of Jurrien Timber at the start of the season when he tore his ACL as well as Takehiro Tomyiasu’s injury making him only available for the back end of the season. This has meant that the left back spot in Arteta’s defence has been volatile, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Tomiyasu have all started in the left back spot this season with mixed performances. Surprisingly Jakub Kiwior outshined Zinchenko this season being hailed as the “Polish Maldini”, Leaving many Arsenal fans dismissive of Zinchenko the Ukrainian full-back and pushing for him to be sold in the Summer. However, Tomiyasu was a relief to get back in 2024 as he held down the defensive fortress. Our right back spot this season has been consistently given to Ben White who arguably has been one of the best full-backs this season. Ben White’s link up play with Saka has been of notice as his overlapping runs continue to create additional chances for Arsenal to score, this has been seen with his 4 goals and 4 assists in the prem.  

Furthermore the goalkeeper spot has seen a large amount of controversy with Raya being loaned to Arsenal this season. Arteta’s philosophy of having 2 good players in every position has caused drama. Aaron Ramsdale the keeper with the highest market value in the world at the start of the season was sidelined by the loanee signing David Raya. Although Raya had some shaky performances when he was first brought in he solidified his position in the starting XI with his performances after this shaky start. These performances have led to him winning the Golden Glove this season and in likelihood arsenal will sign him on a permanent basis and will sell Aaron Ramsdale. 

Arsenal’s Attacking Record 

Although Arsenal have been viewed as a club without an out and out striker, Arsenal still has recorded 91 goals this season making them the 2^nd best attacking team, only losing to the Dominant Manchester city side by 5 goals. 

Star performances this season have been seen by Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard. Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard. These 4 attackers have registered 49 goals and 27 assists in the prem this season and are the attacking core of Arsenal’s team. In addition Declan Rice the £105 million signing has become a surprising attacking threat seeing as he plays as a defensive midfielder. He’s scored many decisive goals including his first against Manchester United and a last minute winner against Luton town. 

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ has impressed yet again this season as Arsenal’s main attacking threat along with Martin Odegaard the creative genius who has created many chances for Arsenal’s attack with his majestic passing capabilities reminding arsenal fans of ex-players such as Ozil and Bergkamp. 

However 2 questionable entrants into the starting 11 are Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard. Kai Havertz the £65 million signing was seen as a fraud at the start of the season and many questioned Arteta’s plan with the player. However his new role as a tall centre forward with an aerial presence seems to be working. Kai Havertz since 2024 has been one of the most prolific forwards and has been a great personality in the team. Leandro Trossard the other questionable entrant into the Arsenal starting 11 came in as a replacement for the underperforming Gabriel Martinelli. Martinelli who hasn’t been receiving as much reception this season due to the departure of Ex Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka who joined the newly invincible Bayer Leverkusen last summer hasn’t been performing to his best. Leandro Trossard seems to suit Arteta’s system this season better then Martinelli as Trossard drifts into the center forward role more often which is largely succesfull as Arsenal overloads the right hand side creating many opportunities for Leandro who has scored 12 goals this season. 

Lastly a large amount of credit for Arsenal’s momentous goal tally this season has to go to the set piece coach who has completely transformed Arsenal’s set piece threat. Arsenal has scored the most set piece goals out of any team this season with 20 goals. Notable tall threats in the box include the likes of Gabriel Maghalaes, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz. Additionally, Ben White’s interferences with other teams respective goalkeepers have been essential in creating the best chances for Arsenal. 

Transfers for Next season 

To win the league next season it is essential that Arsenal fills its gaps in the squad. With many squad players being put on the transfer list Arsenal needs to find some new players. 

Firstly Arsenal need to sign an out and out Striker. Although Kai Havertz has had a positive end to this season, when watching Arsenal it is noticeable that there is a need for a proper striker. There are many different options for Arsenal in this position with many names going around such as; Watkins, Toney, Gyokeres, and Solanke. However I believe the best player for Arsenal would be the Swedish forwards Alexander Isak. The 24 year old scored the third most goals in the prem this season with 21 goals. This was for a Newcastle team that finished 7^th. With a team like Arsenal he could only score more and seems like a safe option to bring into the team. Worth £100 million he will be expensive however the price shouldn’t be an issue due to his relatively young age. 

Secondly  it is evident that Arsenal needs a backup winger for Bukayo Saka next season as he was riddled with small injuries this season and was consistently overplayed. For this position, the best option in my eyes is Olise. The winger from Crystal Palace had a good end to this season as Crystal Palace won 6 of their last 7 premier league games including a 1-0 win against title contenders Liverpool. Olise, left out of the French Euro’s squad is incredibly skilful and could rotate well with Arsenal’s other player’s. 

With Arsenal’s injury crisis in the left back position last season many have looked to Arteta wanting a new left back, however in my personal opinion I think Arsenal has enough back-ups with Timber starting and Tomiyasu, Kiwior, and Zinchenko as replacements for him if needed. However Arsenal has expressed some interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s left back Frimpong, Frimpong the Manchester City academy graduate has been extremely succesful using his pace and attacking prowess to give attacking threat to Leverkusen. Overall the addition of Frimpong could only be seen as a positive for Arsenal.  

Lastly with many of our squad players looking to leave the club, it is important that Arsenal bring in some players that can give rest to our starting XI. Many players in our academy have been bright this season. Although Reuell Walters is leaving this summer it is important that Arteta start giving opportunities to our Hale End youngsters. Some of our youth team that have been particularly bright recently and could be given game time is Nwaneri, Chido-Obi, Cozier Durberry, Dowman, Patino, and Sagoe jr. In addition Arteta should bring in some new older players to fill out the squad. One of the players could be Benjamin Bourigeaud. Bourigeaud the 30 year old Stade Rennais player with a market value of 18 million euros played well with Jeremy Doku in the 22/23 ligue 1 season and is a strong centre midfielder with 9 goals and 6 assists this season. He would be a good addition to the squad and could be a replacement for Smith-Rowe who is rumoured to be joining Ipswich town with Nketiah this summer.  

Overall Arsenal had a positive season brining Manchester City to the last day. Our attacking threat and defensive prowess is noticeable and our new addition to the squad with Rice, and Havertz have helped the Arsenal squad tremendously. Looking into next season with the addition of the injured Timber, if we do well in the transfer market I believe that Arsenal could potentially win the League and also go far in the newly formatted Champions League.