Key areas Arsenal must address ahead of potential 2024/25 Premier League title race
Arsenal and Manchester City locked horns in an epic battle for the 2023/24 Premier League trophy, producing one of the most exciting title races in years.
The Gunners had faced heartbreak last season, losing steam in the run-in as City pipped them to the title. This time, the battle was closer. Both teams went neck to neck for the trophy until the final day.
Despite their valiant effort, Arsenal missed out on the trophy by three points and will be looking to regroup for battle again next season.
While the sting of defeat is undeniable, Arsenal can take solace from their much closer challenge this season. They pushed City to the edge, showing the squad’s undeniable growth.
However, the club will turn to the transfer market to bolster their squad ahead of next season, and there are a couple of areas they need to address.
We analyse some crucial positions Arsenal can improve for next season’s title fight to ensure they won’t be heartbroken again.
The Gunners will be keen to challenge for the title again in 2024/25, and fans keen to catch all the action live can buy Arsenal tickets from seatsnet.com.
Arsenal must address their striking woes
Arsenal’s quest for the Premier League title was hampered by the absence of a consistent goalscorer upfront, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus disappointing throughout the season.
Jesus scored only four league goals in 27 appearances, missing seven big chances with an awful 7% conversion rate.
The Brazilian international has never been the most prolific centre-forward, but his return was not up to par and highlighted the need for a new man to lead the line.
His injury record also makes for grim reading. The former Man City attacker missed several games due to niggling setbacks.
Nketiah did not fare much better in Jesus’ absence, failing to grab the opportunity to establish himself as Mikel Arteta’s main man.
The 24-year-old scored only five goals in his 27 appearances. Given his struggles, the Colney academy graduate could be sold this summer to accommodate a new striker.
Arteta had to turn to Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard to fill the centre-forward void, but he needs a permanent solution.
Sporting director Edu must give Arteta a ruthless finisher who can convert chances and provide the extra push in their bid for a first title in over two decades.
The Gunners need to resolve their inconsistencies at left-back
First-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko endured poor form through stretches of the season, struggling to find his passing radar sometimes and looking weak in his defensive duels.
With Zinchenko faltering and no natural deputy in sight, Arteta resorted to deploying Takehiro Tomiyasu, a right-back, in an unfamiliar left-sided role.
However, the Japanese international is more conservative and does not add the attacking threat Zinchenko possesses, hindering Arsenal’s attacking flow down the left flank.
Arsenal made a huge mistake letting Kieran Tierney leave without providing an adequate replacement, and it came back to bite them.
The Gunners must avoid such a blunder next season. They must prioritise a new left-back who can offer defensive solidity and attacking impetus.
Arsenal must find a left-back with a different tactical profile. Zinchenko is an attacking midfielder filling in at the back and typically inverts into midfield to punch passes through the line.
Arteta’s tactical plans are important, but having a player who offers a different skill set expands his options and provides greater tactical flexibility.
Arteta needs midfield depth
Arsenal signed Declan Rice from West Ham United last summer for £105 million, and he solidified the midfield.
With Thomas Partey potentially leaving this summer, the Gunners may need to break the bank again for another solid midfielder to replace him.
When fit, Partey is a silky smooth and technically proficient maestro who can thread passes through a needle to find his man.
He is also dedicated in his defensive duels, using his lanky frame and long longs to break up opposition attacks, but injuries have ravaged his time with Arsenal.
The 30-year-old made only 14 league appearances this term. The former Atletico Madrid star spent most of the season on the doctor’s table, leaving Arteta’s side short of options.
Arsenal need to move him on and replace him with a midfielder possessing all his positive qualities and more.
Jorginho was a shrewd January acquisition. He provided experience and control in Partey’s absence.
However, the 31-year-old is entering the twilight of his career. Arsenal need a midfield addition on standby to step in when the Italian eventually moves on.
A winger to protect Bukayo Saka is a must
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s talisman, and Arteta has pushed him to play through pain for the club, but it should not be encouraged going forward.
His continuous deployment raises concerns about burnout and potential injuries.
Saka played all 38 Premier League games of the previous two seasons. He played 35 this term, missing three through injury and not for rest.
The workload the England international has carried is unbearable, and he needs to be managed carefully to avoid a career-altering injury.
While his dedication is admirable, relying solely on Saka throughout the season is risky.
Arsenal need a competent right winger to lift the burden off Saka’s weary shoulders before he crumbles.
The club must prioritise a winger to provide competition for Saka – someone who can allow him to stay fresh and motivated throughout the season.
Who can Arsenal sign this summer?
Arsenal have reportedly made RB Leipzig marksman Benjamin Sesko their top target for the striker position this summer.
The Slovenian hitman will cost them around €65m after bagging 18 goals and two assists in 42 appearances this term. He can provide a long-term solution to their centre-forward woes.
The Gunners have also been linked with a move for Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadıoglu. He was outstanding in the Super Lig.
Kadıoglu, a right-footed left-back, helped the Turkish giants keep 15 clean sheets while bagging a goal and four assists.
He also won 60% of his duels, showing his two-way ability. He could provide the competition and quality needed at left-back.
The Gunners reportedly have Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz on their radar for midfield.
Guimaraes will likely cost around £100m, but he is the far superior option, although Luiz has been a midfield target for over a year.
The rumour mill has not churned a potential Saka back-up, but one player the Gunners need to explore is Takefusa Kubo.
Kubo shares similarities with Saka. He is left-footed and loves to cut inside, recording seven goals and four assists in 30 La Liga appearances for Real Sociedad.
He is a hard-working creative outlet who can cover on the right flank.
