Arsenal Eye First Premier League Title in 21 Years Amid Fierce 2025/26 Battle | OneFootball

Another season of broken dreams is behind Arsenal, and it’s that time of the year when fans dare to believe again, with 2025/26 just around the corner.

Following a hat-trick of runner-up finishes, everyone is wondering if the Gunners have what it takes to take home a long-awaited 14th title in England’s top flight.

Last season wasn’t close as Liverpool blew Mikel Arteta’s side out of the title race, finishing ten points clear en route to a second Premier League crown.

Disappointment has become a recurring theme at the Emirates Stadium since Arsene Wenger’s famous ‘Invincibles’ conquered the division in 2003/04.

Arsenal came close in 2023/24 but eventually fell short to Manchester City despite collecting 89+ points for only the second time in club history – a tally they may need to match to ascend the throne this time.

With Liverpool and Man City operating at full throttle, the London heavyweights must find an extra gear to halt their two-decade title drought.

Arsenal Fixtures

Arsenal couldn’t have imagined a more challenging start to the new campaign as they head to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on the opening weekend.

Their first home fixture pits them against newly promoted Leeds United on August 23, followed by a visit to Anfield for a blockbuster clash against reigning holders Liverpool.

A hectic early schedule sees the Gunners meet Man City (H) and Newcastle United (A) towards the end of September before hosting West Ham United for the first London derby of the season.

The Emirates forms the backdrop for the first edition of the north London derby in 2025/26, as Tottenham Hotspur visit on November 11. The return fixture is scheduled for February 21.

It will also serve as a dress rehearsal for Arsenal’s high-stakes home encounter with Chelsea the following week.

Other notable dates include a Boxing Day showdown against Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool’s visit to the capital in the first week of January.

Arteta’s charges end the campaign away to fellow London rivals Crystal Palace.

Manager

Since winning the FA Cup six months after his appointment as manager, Arteta has repeatedly come up short.

While it’s hardly comforting for the Gunners faithful, the Spaniard has at least established Arsenal as a permanent top-three fixture.

The 43-year-old encourages fluid passing, frequently building plays from deep and relying heavily on quick transitions and pace down the wings.

Arteta learnt his trade from Pep Guardiola during his time at Man City as an assistant manager.

However, while the former Barcelona boss has enjoyed a glittering managerial career, Arteta’s trophy cabinet remains dusty.

This season could be his last opportunity to reap the rewards of his tireless work and finally lead Arsenal to the long-awaited Premier League glory.

Transfers

Known for their cautious transfer approach and careful spending, Arsenal rarely make headline-grabbing signings unless they must.

However, the time has come for the Gunners to spend big, as a significant gap exists between them and the recent Premier League winners.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival shouldn’t change David Raya’s position in goal, but it provides Arteta with valuable depth.

They have signed Christian Norgaard from Brentford to increase competition in midfield after an injury-plagued 2024/25 campaign.

Martin Zubimendi’s £55 million transfer from Real Sociedad could be a game-changer for Arsenal.

Arsenal had been chasing the Spanish midfielder for years, and their patience and persistence have finally paid off this summer.

Equally significant could be the signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea for a reported fee of £48.5m.

Cristhian Mosquera has joined the club from Valencia to strengthen one of the division’s sturdiest backlines.

However, those deals pale in comparison to Viktor Gyokeres.

After two remarkable seasons at Sporting CP, the 27-year-old striker returns to the Premier League with enormous expectations.

As for the most notable outgoings, Arsenal cut ties with Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jorginho at the end of last season.

Starting XI

We’ve already mentioned that Raya should keep his place between the sticks.

Arteta is unlikely to make significant changes at the back, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba expected to remain the starting centre-back pairing.

After taking a year to settle in London, Riccardo Calafiori could take Jurrien Timber’s place at left-back, while Ben White should operate on the right.

There’s always a place for Declan Rice in Arteta’s 4-3-3 formation. The English midfielder should team up with Martin Odegaard and Zubimendi in the centre of the park.

Bukayo Saka has a guaranteed starting berth on the right wing.

It would be unsurprising if Madueke immediately overtakes Gabriel Martinelli on the opposite flank, considering the latter’s inconsistency throughout last season.

Finally, there’s no doubt that Gyokeres will spearhead the attack.

It will be fascinating to see if he can be a long-lost successor to Thierry Henry and the promised goalscorer to lead Arsenal to the title.

(4-3-3): Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke.

Star Player

Even with Gyokeres’ arrival, Saka should be the Gunners’ X-Factor.

With all due respect to Odegaard’s on-and-off-the-field influence and playmaking skills, the 23-year-old remains the driving force behind this exciting Arsenal side.

You don’t need to look beyond Arsenal’s underwhelming scoring record during the Englishman’s lengthy spell on the sidelines in 2024/25 to understand how important he is to this team.

Saka’s ability to unlock defences from the wing has been the cornerstone of Arsenal’s goalscoring success under Arteta, who looks set to rely on his talismanic forward again this term.

Prediction

The third time wasn’t the charm last season, yet Arsenal must keep trying.

A series of high-profile injuries and a notorious lack of discipline derailed the Gunners’ title chances in 2024/25.

Let’s see if they’ve learnt their lesson. However, the competition is fierce and the road to glory is steep, especially now that Liverpool look scarier than ever.

Expecting Man City to falter like they did the previous year would be wishful thinking, with the redemption-driven Cityzens seeking to reclaim their throne.

On that basis, Arsenal may go one worse than last term.

Predicted finish: 3rd.

Watch Arsenal Live on TV

All 380 Premier League games are shown on Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the UK, while NBC Sports holds the rights to Premier League games in the USA. Arsenal’s Champions League games will be shown on TNT Sports in the UK. See our Arsenal live streaming page for more information.

Read Next: Our full Premier League 2025/26 preview (with links to all individual Premier League team previews).