It would be fair to say that this season was a real slog for Arsenal and their fans.
Mikel Arteta’s side came into the campaign with the express intention of winning the Premier League at the third time of trying, but as we all know, it wasn’t to be.
Instead, the North Londoners had to deal with a number of bizarre sending-offs, then a cascade of injuries and a general lack of cutting edge throughout the side.
Things can only get better next season, right? Well, while it’s impossible to be sure, the Gunners can certainly help their cause and finally get over the line next year by going out and making a real splash in the transfer market this summer.
Fortunately, while the club are yet to officially announce any new additions, there have been plenty of links, and it’s not too difficult to work out what Arteta’s dream lineup for the start of the 25/26 season may look like.
1
GK – David Raya
While there has been talk of a new goalkeeper signing this summer, it would be astounding if it wasn’t David Raya who started between the sticks on the first day of the 25/26 season.
The Spaniard won his second Golden Glove in successive seasons last week and has more than cemented his place in Arteta’s squad, thanks in part to his brilliant agility and reflexes, which have seen him pull off more than his fair share of doubles saves this year.
2
RB – Jurrien Timber
We come to our first position, which could be up for debate, as both Ben White and Jurrien Timber bring different qualities to the right-back position.
However, so long as the latter has recovered from his recent surgery in time, we reckon he’ll keep his place in the starting lineup, as the solidity and tenacity he adds there is crucial to the team’s brilliant defensive record.
3
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
The first centre-back in the team is another player who missed the end of this season due to surgery: Gabriel Magalhaes.
The club are hopeful he’ll be back to full fitness for the start of next season, and if that’s the case, we cannot see anyone starting ahead of him, as the Brazilian international was superb for most of this year.
On top of his impressive ability to get on the end of set-pieces, the “absolutely unstoppable” colossus, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, is a rock at the back.
4
CB – William Saliba
Partnering Gabriel at the back will be none other than the incredible William Saliba.
The French international has now made 134 appearances for the North Londoners, 100 of which have come in the Premier League, and while he wasn’t quite at his best this season, his immense talent and potential is undeniable.
5
LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly
The final defender in the starting lineup is the outrageously gifted Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Now, there is certainly an argument that it could and perhaps should be Riccardo Calafiori, but the Hale Ender has come on leaps and bounds since making his debut last year, and he looks to have cemented himself in the manager’s preferred lineup.
It’s easy to see why as well, as on top of being far sting and more defensively secure than any 18-year-old academy prospect has any right to be, the youngster is also a real outlet, and as we saw against Manchester City, has an eye for goal.
6
DM – Martin Zubimendi
We’ve made it to the first new face in the team: Martin Zubimendi.
The Spanish international, who is set to cost the club around £51m, might not officially be an Arsenal player just yet, but it’s been pretty widely reported that he’s a medical away from it all being confirmed.
It’s easy to see why Arteta and Co have been so keen to sign the 26-year-old as well, as he’s got an abundance of experience marshalling the midfield for Real Sociedad.
Moreover, he was dubbed one of the “best central midfielders in the world” by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente about seven months before he helped the country win their fourth European Championships against England.
7
CM – Declan Rice
Starting just ahead of Zubimendi in the left-eight will be Arsenal’s £105m man, Declan Rice.
The former West Ham United captain might have started this season a little slowly, but after Christmas, he was frankly superb.
He truly announced himself on the biggest stage against Real Madrid in the Champions League, scoring two sensational free-kicks in the first leg and then putting in a midfield masterclass away in the second.
8
CM – Martin Odegaard
The most attacking of the midfield three will be Martin Odegaard.
It’s undoubtedly true that the club captain’s return of six goals and 12 assists in 45 games this year has been seriously underwhelming, but it’s also true that he’s been the team’s player of the year twice since joining on a permanent deal in August 2021.
Therefore, there is every chance that following a summer of rest, the midfield maestro could be back to his mercurial best for the start of next season.
9
RW – Bukayo Saka
Was it ever going to be anyone else?
Starting off the right for Arsenal next season, and likely for many seasons after, will be Bukayo Saka.
The Hale End icon is undoubtedly the club’s most important and best player, and he once again showed us that this season.
For example, even though he missed over three months of football due to a hamstring injury and surgery, the “legend in the making,” as dubbed by Kulig, racked up a brilliant haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 2619 minutes across 37 appearances.
|
Saka’s 24/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
37 |
|
Minutes |
2619′ |
|
Goals |
12 |
|
Assists |
14 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.70 |
|
Minutes per Goal Involvement |
100.73′ |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt |
|
That means the talismanic winger averaged a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 100.73 minutes for the team this season.
10
LW – Rodrygo
We come to the second and arguably most ambitious signing in the team: Rodrygo.
The Real Madrid superstar, whom journalist Sam Tighe described as “terrifyingly good,” lost his guaranteed starting spot in the Spanish capital this season and, as such, has been touted for a move away, with Arsenal being one of the more prominent destinations.
It could end up costing the Gunners around £85m to get done, but given his brilliant record of 118 goal involvements in 267 games for the club, he’d be more than worth the outlay.
Moreover, with two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles under his belt, the 24-year-old would bring a serious winning mentality to N5.
