Arsenal have played ten games in all competitions of the 2025/26 season so far, with some positives and negatives already standing out.
Heading into the October international break at the top of the Premier League table is how Mikel Arteta would’ve dreamed things would be.
Arsenal had a tough run of fixtures to kick off the campaign, but managed to turn things around at a rapid pace, trailing Liverpool by five points only to sit a point ahead two weeks later.
Though things are looking good for the Gunners at present, Arteta hasn’t been able to avoid criticism.
Taking in the highs and lows from the opening ten games of the season, here’s a look at some of the best and worst things about Arsenal’s start.
Five of the best things about Arsenal in 2025/26 so far
New signings are gelling
Arsenal welcomed eight new signings in the summer transfer window, and it’s taken no time at all for Arteta to see the benefits.
Every single one of the new players has played a part this season so far, all showing that their moves to the Emirates were worthwhile.
Though Viktor Gyokeres has had an average start and will want to increase his tally, there are encouraging signs, which can be said about Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Martin Zubimendi has been the standout from the new signings, as has Christian Mosquera, who, at just 21, has taken pressure away from William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
No club can match Arsenal’s squad depth
On the subject of new signings comes undoubtedly the biggest standout so far, which is how Arsenal’s squad depth has improved.
Arteta can now comfortably fill two impressive line-ups without jeopardising quality, which has come in use in the Carabao Cup, Champions League and Premier League so far.
It’s not only rotation that’s beneficial, but also bench options, as players with starting quality have been able to influence games when required from the bench.
Defensive form is solid
If Arsenal are going to win the Premier League, defensive mastery is a must, and that’s what Arteta’s side is already showing.
The Gunners have conceded just one goal from open play in all competitions this season, the only one being Erling Haaland’s mastery on matchday five.
Mikel Arteta is ready to evolve
Early into the season, Jamie Carragher said Arsenal would never change under Arteta when it came to playing it safe in big games.
Weeks later, Arteta’s side left the pundit blushing, as the manager went all out attack to assist his side in beating Newcastle United at the death at St James’ Park.
Aside from showing Carragher up, Arteta showed that he’s ready to adapt to what’s needed on a game-by-game basis, omitting any concern about stubbornness.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta hits back at Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher with cheeky response to Arsenal criticism
Tough fixtures are out of the way
On the topic of Newcastle away comes the positive that Arsenal have already ticked off some incredibly difficult fixtures.
Trips to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James’ Park are out of the way, as are home tests against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
To get through such a challenging start and still be sitting at the top of the table is a huge plus ahead of the next round of fixtures.
Two of the worst things about Arsenal’s start to the 2025/26 season
Injuries
It’s not all been rosy for Arsenal this season, with one of the lows being how many injuries the Arsenal squad have suffered.
Martin Odegaard has been ruled out for weeks with a knee injury, following on from the captain missing games due to shoulder issues.
New signing Piero Hincapie has made one appearance so far after being kept away due to injury, while Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke have also spent time on the sidelines.
Fortunately, Arteta now has the squad to deal with such pressures, but no injury brings positivity to the camp.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri management
Though improved competition in the squad is celebratory, there is some mild concern over how the remainder of the season could look for two recent academy graduates.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has barely played this term after being a firm starter last season, with the same being said for Ethan Nwaneri.
Max Dowman has been used ahead of Nwaneri in some situations this season, which might alert the teenager.
Arteta has a tough job to manage minutes right now, but for the two teenagers now is a critical time to be playing regularly, which is a mild issue at present.
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