Arsenal season overview – Another heartbreaking finale for Mikel Arteta & co
For the second consecutive season, Arsenal were left heartbroken at the end of the Premier League campaign after missing out on the elusive title at the death.
The Gunners played with a newfound maturity and pushed Manchester City to the very last game but ultimately fell short by two points.
While their attempts to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s side were futile in the end, Arsenal have established themselves as genuine title contenders and are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Near perfection isn’t enough when going toe to toe with City, but this Arsenal side have finally found their identity and have the potential to dominate for years to come.
We expect them to challenge for the title again next term, but they must find that extra spark required to finally claim the elusive Premier League title.
Here’s how Arsenal fared in the 2023/24 season.
Premier League – Runners-up
For Arsenal fans, it’s a feeling of frustrating familiarity as the Gunners were forced to settle for a silver medal in the Premier League again despite a much better title challenge than last season.
Arteta’s side battled the champions until the final day. They started the new year guns blazing, winning a staggering 16 of their 18 games (D1, L1).
They also took four points off City, which emphasised their credentials as genuine contenders, but it still wasn’t enough as Guardiola’s side steamrolled to a fourth consecutive league title.
However, Arsenal are certainly on an upward trajectory.
Their fighting spirit and tactical awareness under Arteta are undeniable, and they’ll be hoping to beat City to the punch at the third time of asking next term.
FA Cup – Third round
Arsenal’s FA Cup journey ended on a whim, with Arteta’s side falling at the first hurdle and not for the first time.
They lost to City in the third round during the previous season, and it was the same story when they faced Liverpool this time around.
Fans who bought Liverpool tickets online were treated to a closely contested affair until the Reds struck twice late on to eliminate Arsenal.
Considering the FA Cup is usually their birthright, the Gunners must ensure they banish their third-round demons next season.
EFL Cup – Round of 16
Arsenal’s EFL Cup dreams were shattered in a stunning upset by West Ham United.
The Hammers raced to a commanding 3-0 lead after the hour mark, leaving the Gunners with a mountain to climb.
While Martin Odegaard managed a consolation goal in stoppage time, it wasn’t enough to prevent a disappointing exit from the competition.
Champions League – Quarter-finals
Arteta’s project at Arsenal received its biggest test this season with a return to the Champions League after a six-year absence.
The competition served as a valuable yardstick to determine just how far the Gunners have grown as a team, and they can be proud of their run, especially after their sabbatical.
Bar a hiccup against RC Lens, their group stage was a relative breeze, but their true test came in the knockout phase.
A tense penalty shootout victory was enough to overcome FC Porto in the last 16, but their inexperience in the tournament was on display in the quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Arsenal undoubtedly fought valiantly, but their exit at the hands of Bayern just proves they still have plenty to work on before taking on Europe’s elites.
Player of the season – Martin Odegaard
Bukayo Saka usually springs to mind in this category, but he takes the backseat this time, with Martin Odegaard emerging as the heartbeat of Arteta’s side.
The Norwegian playmaker was ever-present for the Gunners, missing just three Premier League games.
Odegaard hit double figures in both goals and assists, netting 11 times and laying on a further 11 in 48 games across all competitions.
The 25-year-old is a vital cog in Arteta’s free-flowing system and continues to be the creative machine that keeps Arteta’s side ticking.
Game of the season – Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City
Arsenal were incredible all season, so there are plenty of games to choose from. But none comes close to their euphoric 1-0 victory over City back in October.
For so long, they were City’s whipping boys and headed into the game on the back of a 12-match losing streak against the champions.
However, a late strike from Gabriel Martinelli helped Arteta claim his first win against his mentor, symbolising just how much Arsenal have evolved with the Spaniard in the dugout.
Top scorer & Assist leader – Saka (16 goals), Odegaard (10)
After finishing one goal behind Odegaard and Martinelli last term, Saka reclaimed his status as Arsenal’s talisman this season, bagging 16 Premier League goals.
He was also key to Arsenal’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals, notching four goals and four assists in nine games.
Saka also bagged nine Premier League assists in 2023/24, a tally only bettered by Gunners skipper Odegaard (10), who was at his usual creative best during the season.
Signing of the summer – Declan Rice
Arsenal spared no expense in their pursuit of Declan Rice, who is considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Their £105 million investment in the former West Ham skipper was arguably their best piece of business last summer.
Rice’s impact in the middle of the park cannot be overstated. The midfield destroyer was a crucial component of Arteta’s setup and was instrumental in carrying the team forward.
The 25-year-old also proved to be a set-piece specialist, and his 17 goal contributions in 51 games are truly outstanding, even though it wasn’t enough to spur Arsenal to the title.
Where can Arsenal improve next season?
Arteta and sporting director Edu have already built a special team, but they’ll need to add more quality across every department this summer.
But the question everyone is still asking – do Arsenal need an out-and-out striker?
Havertz struggled in his first few months at the Emirates Stadium, with Arteta trying to figure out where the German is most productive.
His side switched gears when Havertz was deployed as a centre-forward, and the ex-Chelsea man repaid his gaffer’s faith by returning 13 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, there’s still a growing feeling that Arsenal may need to sign a more prolific striker to further close the gap on City.
The champions have a goal machine in Erling Braut Haaland, who has won the Golden Boot in his first two seasons in the Premier League.
Arsenal must ensure they recruit a striker that can deliver the goods, preferably one that’s capable of surpassing the 25-goal mark consistently.
What to expect next season?
Arsenal were truly in a league of their own in 2023/24. Their defensive solidity was key to their title challenge, boasting the meanest rearguard in the division with a club-record 28 goals conceded.
They also scored 91 goals, the most in their Premier League history, while only City netted more times than Arteta’s rampant Gunners (96).
Arsenal may only have a silver medal to show for their efforts, but the stats show they did enough to win the title.
However, they must pick themselves up and dust off the disappointment to have another go at the Premier League title next season.
Success in at least one of the domestic tournaments should also be on their radar.
