Arsenal closed their 2024-25 season with a 2-1 victory over Southampton.
It wasn’t the trophy-laden season that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans would have hoped for but a third consecutive runners-up for the Gunners, alongside a Champions League semi-final is still progress.
Andrea Berta now has the task of bringing in the firepower needed in attacking areas to get the club over the line, Benjamin Sesko is in ‘contact’ with Arsenal as the club also considers a move for Viktor Gyokeres.
Despite the trophy disappointment, there were still some highs for Arsenal throughout the season, nobody will forget the victories over Real Madrid or another double in the North London Derby fixtures.
Arsenal Insider takes a look back at the season and highlights three decisions that Arteta got right throughout the campaign and the impact they could have moving forward.
Three decisions Mikel Arteta got right at Arsenal this season
Myles Lewis-Skelly introduction into the Arsenal first-team
Arsenal’s academy could not have wished for a more productive campaign as Hale End further enhances its reputation across world football.
Ethan Nwaneri has sparkled for the Gunners this season when given opportunities and Max Dowman’s latest England display has got fans comparing the 15-year-old to Lamine Yamal.
However, Arteta’s decision to solve his left-back conundrum with Myles Lewis-Skelly may prove to be one of the best decisions of his entire Arsenal reign.
| Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal record this season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Lewis-Skelly | 39 | 1 | 2 |
Lewis-Skelly was touted as young player of the season by pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher and his impact upon the first-team has been beyond even the club’s wildest expectations.
Real Madrid are monitoring Lewis-Skelly as the club look to tie him down to a long-term contract and that simply has to happen for the club as they have unearthed a star good enough to dominate world football.
Mikel Arteta to thank for Mikel Merino transformation
Arsenal’s injury crisis this season has been a huge factor behind their failures and when Kai Havertz pulled his hamstring back in February, the Gunners were left threadbare in attack.
It is fair to say Mikel Merino’s Arsenal career didn’t get off to the best of starts, fans slammed Merino for his performance against Girona in the Champions League and that wasn’t the only occasion he came in for criticism.
However, Merino’s Arsenal transformation came when Arteta decided to play the Spaniard as an auxiliary striker and it almost landed the Gunners their dream European title.
Although Merino is expected to revert back to his midfield role next season, it has proven his versatility in the side and given him the confidence that he belongs in this side, ready to win trophies next season.
| Mikel Merino’s Arsenal record this season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Merino | 44 | 9 | 5 |
Arsenal unbeaten against the ‘big six’ this season
Whatever your opinion of Arteta this season, one thing that cannot be denied about the Arsenal manager is his ability to gain points in the big matches.
The Gunners were unbeaten against the ‘big six’ sides for the second season in a row and have proven they can handle the big occasions.
That record was made even more impressive considering Arteta’s side were down to ten men away at Manchester City and Liverpool after Leandro Trossard’s controversial red card and Merino’s second yellow at Anfield.
It gives hope that if Berta can find the right signings this summer, the foundation is there for this team to take that next step to glory.
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