The transfer window has now closed, and Arsenal finalised their business on what was a surprisingly chaotic deadline day.
Arsenal confirmed the departures of Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah to Southampton and Crystal Palace, whilst also securing a last-minute loan deal for Reiss Nelson.
Deadline day saw Arsenal sign Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto as a backup to David Raya, and at completed a last-minute loan swoop for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling.
They follow Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori in as summer signings, in what was a somewhat stressful window at times.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished just two points behind Manchester City last season, and they only needed small adjustments to fix their main issues, which they have now done in the transfer window.
Adding to an already strong squad is a difficult task, but Arsenal now have extra depth and quality across the team, and it is this quality in depth which could prove to be the difference in the title race.
Arteta will have some selection headaches to make, and here’s what we think his strongest possible starting XI is when everyone is fully fit.
David Raya
No disputes over who is Arsenal’s best goalkeeper anymore, now that Ramsdale has departed.
Ben White
White is now one of the best right-backs in the league, and he now has extra depth behind him as Jurrien Timber has returned from injury.
William Saliba
Saliba is quickly becoming one of the best centre-backs in the world, and is one of Arsenal’s most important players.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Despite the arrival of Calafiori, Gabriel will continue in his partnership with Saliba which was the best in the league last season.
Jurrien Timber
Left-back is the most stacked area of Arteta’s squad, and it looks set to be a rotating position. Oleksandr Zinchenko still provides use in easier home games, whilst Calafiori could eventually make the spot his own, but Timber is perhaps the most balanced option for now.
Declan Rice
There have been questions over which midfield position Declan Rice should play, but no matter which role he plays, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino has been signed to help provide balance to Arsenal’s midfield, and he appears perfectly suited for a role as a left-sided number eight.
This means that Rice will push back, and Thomas Partey will drop out of the team, once Merino is back from his cruel training injury.
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal’s captain, and key midfielder. The only worry is a potential lack of cover for him.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s talisman, but no matter who signed this summer, he was always going to be the main starter on the right wing.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz has won the battle to be Arsenal’s starting striker after a phenomenal second half of last season, and for now, he will hold the spot ahead of Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli has not been at his best recently, and the goalscoring form of Leandro Trossard, as well as the arrival of Sterling, could put his place in jeopardy.
However, if he can recover his best form, the speed he provides makes him the best-balanced option on the opposite wing to Saka.
Arsenal’s strongest XI for the 24/25 season
- GK – David Raya
- RB – Ben White
- CB – William Saliba
- CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
- LB – Jurrien Timber
- DM – Declan Rice
- CM – Mikel Merino
- CM – Martin Odegaard
- RW – Bukayo Saka
- CF – Kai Havertz
- LW – Gabriel Martinelli
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
