Arsenal endured a frustrating 2024-25 campaign.
Despite a run to the Champions League semi-final, which included a heroic victory over holders Real Madrid, the Gunners were left disappointed and trophyless at the end of the season.
Arsenal’s injury crisis was one of the factors that derailed their Premier League title bid, as well as their failure to sign a striker in January – Ollie Watkins was a player they saw slip through the net.
However, a new season is upon us and the Arsenal squad are set to return for pre-season training next week. Arsenal Insider has looked at five reasons for supporters to be optimistic that this will be the year.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are among Europe’s best young talents
One positive from last season was the emergence of Hale End duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri into Mikel Arteta’s first-team.
Lewis-Skelly’s new Arsenal contract is a statement by the club that they plan to build their team around prodigious young talent such as the 18-year-old.
Arsenal are still in talks with Nwaneri over a new deal but the club are confident they can show the academy graduate that there is a pathway to stardom at the Emirates Stadium.
Both players will continue to grow in importance next season and with a full pre-season behind them, the possibilities are endless.
Andrea Berta showing a ruthless edge in the transfer market
Andrea Berta was brought to the club with one of the most important summer transfer windows on the horizon.
There was no settling in period for the Italian, he had key contracts, player recruitment and player sales all to contend with.
Whilst the job is far from finished, Berta has made an excellent start to his reign and is showing signs of a ruthless edge that the Gunners have lacked in transfer negotiations in recent years.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has signed for Arsenal as Berta’s first official acquisition, with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to be announced imminently.
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s contract termination shows that players departing the club will do so in an efficient and timely manner and Gabriel Magalhaes and Lewis-Skelly have signed new deals. Positive work so far from the new sporting director.
Arsenal’s injured stars have finally had a summer break
There is no doubt that injuries to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard played a huge part in Arsenal failing to win a trophy last season.
The influence of the duo on the side cannot be underestimated and both players missed significant periods of the season.
However, there has been no international tournaments this summer, Arsenal were not involved in the FIFA Club World Cup and the players can return for pre-season refreshed and revitalised.
Kai Havertz has had a chance to further strengthen himself following hamstring surgery and now the Gunners can have a full pre-season and start the season strong.
Arsenal have a tough start to the season and will need their players to be fit and firing, ready to capitalise on sluggish starts from opponents.
Gabriel Martinelli has a point to prove next season
Gabriel Martinelli’s Arsenal future is uncertain amid interest from Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr, however the 23-year-old could end up being one of Arsenal’s most important figures next season.
Arsenal want to keep Martinelli and unless a sizeable offer arrives for the Brazilian, he will very much be part of Arteta’s attacking weapons.
He had an excellent end to the campaign following a hamstring injury and Martinelli is the type of player that will knuckle down and fight to prove doubters wrong.
Arsenal fans will remember the excitement he brought to games when he first arrived at the club and even if the likes of Rodrygo do sign this window, Martinelli is ready for the competition.
Mikel Arteta is still at the helm
After Unai Emery departed in 2019, Arsenal Football Club needed a huge rebuild. A young, inexperienced manager walked through the door and had the weight of expectation placed on his shoulders.
Ever since his appointment, Arteta has made it his own personal mission to restore the club back to its former glory and despite winning the FA Cup in his first season, the Spaniard is seeking more.
Arteta is under pressure this season, there is no doubt a trophy must be won. However, the energy and commitment he has brought to this Arsenal side make them a joy to watch and they are competing at the very top end of world football.
He will get Arsenal to the top. The right recruitment this summer will help along the way but the main cause for optimism for supporters – Arteta is the man in the dugout once again.
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