Arsenal's Ambitious Season: Strengthening the Squad for Success
This season is poised to be the most pivotal in Mikel Arteta's five and a half years as manager of Arsenal.
The club has significantly revamped its squad with £190 million worth of signings, aiming to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in 21 years.
After finishing second for three consecutive seasons, Arsenal has made a concerted effort over the summer to end this title drought.
Among the key additions are midfielder Martin Zubimendi and striker Viktor Gyokeres, both of whom are expected to play vital roles in the team's success.
As Arsenal prepares to kick off their campaign away at Manchester United on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST), BBC Sport explores why the Gunners believe they are ready to compete for the league this season.
How has Arsenal strengthened over the summer?
Before their first summer match in Singapore, Arteta expressed confidence, stating he "sees the right balance" and that "all the ingredients are there" for a successful season.
The addition of six new players, with the possibility of another, has energized fans and raised expectations for the upcoming campaign.
The increased depth within the squad provides Arteta with greater flexibility in his tactics, enabling him to effectively challenge stubborn defenses.
Declan Rice has been repositioned into a more advanced midfield role, a move facilitated by Zubimendi's arrival from Real Sociedad.
Arteta has also eliminated the 'tier system,' ensuring that the team maintains performance levels even if some starters are unavailable.
There has been a strong emphasis on enhancing the goal threat from all positions, utilizing runs behind defenses and quick shots on goal. Gyokeres, who scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, is expected to be a key asset, with Arteta noting that "if you leave Gyokeres with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you."
Arteta added, "He’s going to create a lot of space for us, ensuring there is always a player ready to score in any situation."
What happens if they don't win?
Arteta is well aware that fans expect trophies at the Emirates Stadium this season.
During crucial matches last season, the urgency for success was palpable among the crowd.
Despite winning the FA Cup in his first season, Arteta has faced criticism regarding his ability to secure titles, leading to some fans expressing their dissatisfaction with 'Arteta out' messages following the signing of Noni Madueke.
Regardless of the outcome, Arteta has assembled a squad rich in quality and youthful potential, but pressure may mount if Arsenal fails to deliver after their significant summer investment.
What have we seen in pre-season?
Arsenal recognizes the need to compete across multiple competitions this season, with players and staff openly stating their aim to win a trophy.
Throughout pre-season, variations of the phrase 'getting to a new level' were echoed, particularly during the team's kit launch in Singapore.
Arteta prefers to refer to pre-season matches as "tests" rather than friendlies, emphasizing the intensity and sharpness of the team's performance.
The evolution of Arsenal's style was evident from their first match against AC Milan, where Ethan Nwaneri was deployed in a central role, showcasing the strength of the team's midfield options.
New signing Madueke from Chelsea is expected to bolster the wings, a position where Nwaneri previously excelled, indicating a natural pathway for his integration into the team.
A significant takeaway from Arsenal's five summer matches is their more direct approach to attacking, addressing last season's goal-scoring deficiencies.
Goalkeeper David Raya has been known for his long kicks, contributing to goals from Kai Havertz and creating chances for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli by exploiting spaces behind opposing defenses.
The introduction of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover is anticipated to enhance Arsenal's threat from set plays.
A faster-paced attacking style has emerged, particularly when Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Rice have played together.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has impressed with his ability to transition into midfield from left-back, though there is now a greater emphasis on fulfilling traditional full-back responsibilities.
Arteta hopes that these changes will benefit Gyokeres, leveraging his physicality and ability to break through defenses.
What do Arsenal need to do differently to win?
Over the last season's 38 league matches, Liverpool outperformed Arsenal with over 100 more shots and 17 additional goals.
While seven of those goals came from penalties, there remains a gap of 95 non-penalty shots, averaging 2.5 more shots per game.
If Arsenal had matched Liverpool's non-penalty shot count while maintaining their scoring rate of 12.3%, they would have added 12 goals to their tally, highlighting that the team's primary issue last season was a lack of created chances.
Injuries to key players severely impacted Arsenal's performance, leaving them unable to execute their attacking strategy effectively.
Consequently, they often struggled against teams that defended deeply, relying on slow build-ups and crosses in hopes of winning headers.
The 'peak' squad makeup
Zubimendi and Gyokeres, aged 26 and 27 respectively, are in or nearing their peak performance years, brought in to contribute immediately.
The majority of the Arsenal squad is also at or approaching the prime age for a footballer, with eight of the starting eleven last season aged between 23 and 27.
Connections among players, such as Zubimendi and Merino, former teammates at Real Sociedad, alongside the experience of Odegaard, illustrate the vision Arsenal is pursuing.
Coaches have praised the character of the new signings as they aim to cultivate a winning mentality within the squad.